LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 25/2019
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
Merry Christmas/Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests
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Bible Quotations For today
Merry Christmas/Glory to God in the highest and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests
Luke/02/01-20/In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 2 that the
whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius
was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And
Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city
of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they
were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her
firstborn son. 3 She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that
region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The
angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is
Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a
multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. “When
the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the
Lord has made known to us.”So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and
the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message
that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what
had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting
on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.”
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News
published on December 24-25/2019
The Actual Needed Christmas Spirit
Christmas And The obligations Of The Righteous
Aoun, Diab meeting concludes at Baabda palace
Report: Demonstrators Relay Message Shunning PM-Designate
Mashnouq to Velayati: Thank You for Announcing Iranian Support of Diab
Protesters Stage Sit-in Outside Central Bank
Hariri extends wellwishes to Lebanese on Christmas, New Year
Berri Says No Problem with Forming ‘One-Sided’ Govt.
Berri in Christmas message hopes Lebanese get inspired by values of love,
salvation
Rahi: Rulers Brought Lebanon to Collapse and Citizens to Poverty
Rahi receives Christmas well-wishes
Syrian ports closed for maritime navigation due to prevailing weather conditions
Lebanon banks ‘trapping’ state salaries: minister
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
December 24-25/2019
The cruise missiles that struck IRGC Air Force HQ in Syria – a telling
blow for Iran’s Mid-East plans
Turkish parliament readying bill to allow sending troops to Libya
Iran Arrests Family of Young Man Killed in 'Riots'
Iraqi Protesters' Ire at Iran Extends to Goods Boycott
Sufi leader dies in Iran hospital: Report
Syria regime forces surround Turkish army post in Idlib: Monitor
Russian airstrikes kill eight in Syria’s Saraqib city: Monitor
Israel announces restoring Gaza maritime fishing zone
Turkey keeps businessman in jail despite European court release call
Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published on December 24-25/2019
The Actual Needed Christmas Spirit/Elias Bejjani/December 25/2019
Christmas And The obligations Of The Righteous/Elias Bejjani/December 25/2019
No Christmas miracle in Lebanon as economic crisis deepens/Timour Azhari/AL
JAZEERA NEWS/December 24/2019
The cruise missiles that struck IRGC Air Force HQ in Syria – a telling blow for
Iran’s Mid-East plans/DEBKAFILE/December 24/2019
On Christmas, let's reflect on the promise communities make to one
another/Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson/The National/December 24/2019
Christmas cries for help from hostages in Iran/Jason Rezaian/The Washington
Post/December 24/2019
After the Khashoggi verdict: time to move on/Ghanem Nuseibeh/Al Arabiya/Tuesday,
24 December 2019
Korean peace through myriad acts/Moon Jae-in/Arab News/December 24/2019
Oslo Accords may prove to be best defense against ICC probe/Dr. Matan Gutman/Ynetnews/December
24/2019
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News
published on December 24-25/2019
The Actual Needed Christmas Spirit
Elias Bejjani/December 25/2019
Inside each of an angel and a demon. With the birth of the Lord Jesus, let us
bridle and silence Satan and leave the angel free to lead us to the paths of
love and forgiveness
Christmas And The obligations Of The
Righteous
Elias Bejjani/December 25/2019
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/81746/elias-bejjani-christmas-and-the-obligations-of-the-righteous-%d8%b0%d9%83%d8%b1%d9%89-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%af-%d9%88%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%a8/
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 02/11)
Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 02/14)
The holy birth of Jesus Christ bears numerous blessed vital values and
principles including love, giving, redemption, modesty and forgiveness.
Christmas is a role model of love because God, our Father Himself is love.
Accordingly and in a bid to cleanse us from our original sin He came down from
heaven, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and became
man.
This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
(John15/12)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
(John15/13)
Christmas is way of giving …God gave us Himself because He is a caring,
generous, forgiving and loving and father.
Christmas embodies all principles of genuine redemption. Jesus Christ redeemed
us and for our sake He joyfully was crucified, and tolerated all kinds of
torture, humiliation and pain
Christmas is a dignified image of modesty ..Jesus Christ accepted to be born
into a manger and to live his life on earth in an extremely simple and humble
manner.
Let us continuously remind our selves that when our day comes that could be at
any moment, we shall not be able to take any thing that is earthly with us for
the Day of judgment except our work and acts, be righteous or evil.
Christmas is a holy act of forgiveness ….God, and because He is a loving and
forgiving has Sent His Son Jesus Christ redeem to free us from the bondage of
the original sin that Adam and Eve committed.
Christmas requires that we all genuinely pray and pray for those who are hurt,
lonely, deserted by their beloved ones, feel betrayed, are enduring pain
silently pain, suffer anguish, deprived from happiness, warmth and joy .
Christmas is ought to teach us that it is the duty of every believer to practice
his/her faith not only verbally and via routine rituals, but and most
importantly through actual deeds of righteousness….
Christmas’ spirit is not only rituals of decorations, festivities, gifts and
joyful celebrations…But deeds in all ways and means by helping those who need
help in all field and domains.
Christmas’s spirit is a calls to honour and actually abide by all Bible
teachings and values.
In this realm we have a Biblical obligation to open our hearts and with love
extend our hand to all those who are in need, and we are able to help him
remembering always that Almighty God showered on us all sorts of graces and
capabilities so we can share them with others.
Christmas is a time to hold to the Ten Commandments, foremost of which is
“Honour your father and your mother”.
Christmas is a good time for us to attentively hear and positively respond to
our conscience, which is the voice of God within us.
Christmas should revive in our minds and hearts the importance of fighting all
kinds temptations so we do not become slaves to earthly wealth, or power of
authority.
Christmas for us as patriotic and faithful Lebanese is a time to pray for the
safe and dignified return of our Southern people who were forced to take refuge
in Israel since the year 2000.
Christmas for each and every loving and caring Lebanese is a holy opportunity
for calling loudly on all the Lebanese politicians and clergymen, as well as on
the UN for the release of the thousands of Lebanese citizens who are arbitrarily
and unjustly imprisoned in Syrian prisons.
Most importantly Christmas is a time for praying and working for the liberation
of our dear homeland Lebanon, from the Iranian occupation.
No one should never ever lose sight for a moment or keep a blind eye on the
sacrifices of our heroic righteous martyrs who willing sacrificed themselves for
our homeland, identity, existence, and dignity. Our prayers goes for them on
this Holy Day and for peace in each and evry country, especially in the chaotic
and troubled Middle East.
May God Bless you all and shower upon you, your families, friends, and beloved
ones all graces of joy, health, love, forgiveness, meekness and hope.
Aoun, Diab meeting concludes at Baabda palace
NNA/December 24/2019
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, on Tuesday afternoon met at the
Baabda palace with Prime Minister-designate, Dr. Hassan Diab, who extended to
him well-wishes on the occasion of the holy Christmas. Diab briefed the
President on the outcome of the non-binding parliamentary consultations and the
meetings he is undertaking to form the new government. On emerging, Diab said
that talks touched on the general headlines, pointing out the existence of full
response.
"We are still in the first two days.. God willing, matters are going as should
be," Diab corroborated.
Report: Demonstrators Relay Message Shunning PM-Designate
Naharnet/December 24/2019
Lebanon’s demonstrators clearly conveyed to PM-designate Hassan Diab that they
are not ready to extend support, or accept a PM designated by the “Shiite duo” (Hizbullah
and AMAL Movement) and their allies, the Kuwaiti As-Siyasah newspaper reported
on Tuesday. The refusal of protesters to meet Diab reflects a large part of this
message, said the daily. According to Movement sources, “Diab does not
constitute a guarantee for the formation of a transitional government capable of
removing Lebanon from corruption, given that the March 8 group will not accept
the formation of a credible government capable of fighting the corrupt and
conducting accountability, law and order.”As-Siyasah said the “Shiite duo” did
not appreciate that Diab plans on forming a government of independents without
any political representation. Therefore, they dispatched delegates saying the
chances for such a government are off-limits and that March 8 group only accepts
a government of politicians and technocrats. A prominent senior source of March
8 says the formation of a “so-called independent government is out of the
question.”On Sunday, prominent street leaders shunned an invitation by the prime
minister-designate to sit for talks over the formation of a new government,
saying they are not ready to extend support.
Mashnouq to Velayati: Thank You for Announcing Iranian
Support of Diab
Naharnet/December 24/2019
Ex-interior minister and Beirut MP Nouhad al-Mashnouq on Tuesday said Iran has
welcomed the designation of new PM Hassan Diab which proves that the latter
“does not represent the Lebanese or the Sunni community in Beirut.”“We very much
thank (Top Advisor to Iranian Leader) Ali Velyati for supporting the designation
of Diab. His defense of Diab is a clear and frank declaration that he represents
those who assigned him, and he does not represent the Lebanese, the people of
Beirut, or the Sunnis,” Mashnouq lashed out in a tweet. Iranian agencies quoted
Velayati as saying that “Iran welcomes Diab’s appointment in respect for the
choice made by the Lebanese.”Velayati also said that demonstrations in Lebanon
after the appointment of Diab to form the new cabinet are taking place at the
“instigation” of Saudi Arabia and Israel, and that they will diminish in the end
with the formation of the government. Mashnouq added saying “as for the prophecy
of Velayati that protests will diminish in Lebanon, he must not confuse between
Lebanon and Iran. His regime has killed 1500 (Iranian) demonstrators. In Lebanon
the army and security forces protect the protesters with wisdom. The revolution
will flourish under the shadow of a PM-designate strange to his own people.”
Protesters Stage Sit-in Outside Central Bank
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/December 24/2019
A group of students staged a sit-in near Lebanon’s central bank in Hamra
protesting the bank’s “financial and economic policies,” as the nation faces its
worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. The protesters voiced calls
for “change,” asserting refusal to pay taxes, demanding that levies be imposed
on “profits and insurance."A dollar-liquidity crisis has pushed banks to impose
informal capital controls on dollar deposits and the Lebanese pound, officially
pegged to the US dollar, has lost around 30 percent of its value on the black
market. The faltering economy has pushed several companies to close, while
surviving businesses try to stay open by paying half-salaries and laying off
employees. A recession of more than 0.2 percent is expected for this year, the
World Bank says.The international community, donors, and financial organisations
have warned that debt-saddled Lebanon could ill afford any delay in getting a
new government.
Hariri extends wellwishes to Lebanese on Christmas, New Year
NNA/December 24/2019
Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri congratulated the Lebanese people, in
general, and Christians, in particular, on the occasion of Christmas and New
Year. Hariri hoped that the holidays would bring the values of love, peace and
rapprochement amongst the Lebanese, as well as salvation to help rescue the
nation from its problems and crises.
Berri Says No Problem with Forming ‘One-Sided’ Govt.
Naharnet/December 24/2019
Speaker Nabih Berri said there is nothing wrong with forming a “one-sided”
government if the PM-designate Hassan Diab fails to convince all political
parties to participate in the cabinet he is about to form, media reports said on
Tuesday. The Speaker said Diab must “spare no effort to convince all political
components to participate in the government, it is up to them if they choose not
to,” visitors quoted Berri as saying. Al-Mustaqbal Movement, the Lebanese Forces
and the Progressive Socialist Party do not want a role in the cabinet. “There is
no problem” if the government is one-sided,” said Berri “many countries around
the world form such governments,” he stated. Diab, an engineering professor
designated Thursday to form a desperately-needed government, plans to form a
cabinet of “independent experts within four to six weeks.”He is set to hold a
series of talks with officials including the LF and al-Mustaqbal. According to
Berri’s visitors, the Speaker believes “there is no problem with forming a
government of specialists and partisans.”Diab held talks Saturday with
parliamentary blocs on the formation of a government but met several challenges
as key groups insisted that the cabinet must include established parties not
just independent experts. The complicated process of forming a government comes
as Lebanon faces its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
Berri in Christmas message hopes Lebanese get inspired by
values of love, salvation
NNA/December 24/2019
Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, on Tuesday congratulated the Lebanese people
in general, and Christians in particular on the glorious birth of Jesus Christ.
"We hope that the Lebanese get inspired by the birth of the Savior, and develop
values of unity, love, and salvation to help rescue the nation from its crises
towards the shore of safety and stability."On the other hand, Speaker Berri
received a response cable from the President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael
Higgins, in which he hoped that "the parliamentarians of both countries will be
able to form a common friendship group to enhance parliamentary
relations."President Higgins also wished that "Lebanon and its wonderful people
would enjoy prosperity, stability and peace.
Rahi: Rulers Brought Lebanon to Collapse and Citizens to
Poverty
Naharnet/December 24/2019
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said in his Christmas message on Tuesday that
officials have brought Lebanon to economic and financial collapse and the
Lebanese to poverty. “Our tragedies come from the fact that our rulers refuse to
transfer power, they would rather allocate it, spend lavishly and accumulate
debts. They brought the state to economic and financial collapse and left more
than a third of the Lebanese people in poverty,” Rahi lashed out. He said the
Lebanese people were expecting a Christmas present from politicians in which
they agree on forming “a government of experts to put the country on route to
economic salvation.”“The people have expressed their suffering in a positive
revolution that has not subsided for 70 days. We hope it will always be positive
cooperating with the army and security forces,” Rahi said. The Patriarch
“blessed” the “revolution” noting that “our people will not accept bad
governance prevailing since the 90s with the spread of corruption, squandering
(of public funds), aggravation of deficits, rise in public debt poverty and
unemployment.”He urged officials to form a government to end the suffering of
Lebanese.
Rahi receives Christmas well-wishes
NNA/December 24/2019
Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, on Tuesday received
phone calls from several personalities who have expressed their best wishes for
the holidays. The prelate notably received calls from House Speaker, Nabih Berri,
Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Deriane, and Lebanese Forces party
leader, Samir Geagea. Moreover, Rahi discussed with his interlocutors the
situation in Lebanon, pushing for responsible cooperation amongst all sides to
confront the deteriorating situation in the country.
Syrian ports closed for maritime navigation due to
prevailing weather conditions
NNA/December 24/2019
The General Directorate for Ports on Tuesday announced that all ports in
Lattakia and Tartous were closed for maritime navigation due to the prevailing
weather conditions. Head of Ports General Directorate Gen. Ammar Makhlouf told
SANA’s reporter that the ports of Lattakia and Tartous, the oil downstream of
Banias Refinery and the small ports were closed due to high speed of the winds
which has reached 40 km /h and is expected to reach up to 90km/h in the upcoming
hours. Makhlouf indicated that all the required measures have been taken and all
cadres are put in a state of alert to minimize any losses that may result from
the weather conditions.--SANA News Agency
Lebanon banks ‘trapping’ state salaries: minister
Arab News/AFP/December 24/2019
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s caretaker finance minister accused the country’s banks on
Tuesday of “trapping” civil servants’ salaries with withdrawal limits that have
fueled public anger in the crisis-stricken country.
“What is happening in some Lebanese banks is unacceptable,” Ali Hassan Khalil
wrote on Twitter. “They are trapping the salaries of (state) employees that are
transferred by the finance ministry every month.” Rocked by two months of
anti-government protests and a political deadlock, Lebanon is also facing its
worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. A liquidity crunch has
pushed Lebanese banks to impose capital controls on dollar accounts, capping
withdrawals at around $1,000 a month. Some have imposed even tighter
restrictions. Some have also capped weekly withdrawals of the Lebanese pound at
one million — the equivalent of $660 at official rates — even as the currency
has plunged by nearly a third against the dollar on the black market in recent
weeks. The tightening controls have prompted public uproar, with many accusing
banks of robbing them of their savings.
On Tuesday, Khalil said it was a “sacred right” of civil servants to be paid in
full and on time. “It is not permissible for this right to be violated,” he
said, vowing legal action to ensure public servants can access their salaries in
full.
At banks in the northern city of Tripoli, tensions soared Tuesday as clients
struggled to withdraw their salaries, said an AFP correspondent there. A fight
broke out in a branch near the city’s main protest camp after the bank refused
to let a customer withdraw dollars.
An anti-government street movement has rocked the small Mediterranean country
since October 17. Bowing to popular pressure, the government resigned two weeks
into demonstrations. Since then, a potential default on Lebanon’s huge public
debt has heightened the economic and political crisis.
The faltering economy has pushed many companies into bankruptcy, while others
have laid off staff and slashed salaries. A recession of more than 0.2 percent
is expected for this year, the World Bank says. In its first step toward forming
an urgently-needed government, President Michel Aoun last week designated
engineering professor Hassan Diab as the country’s next prime minister,
replacing Saad Hariri who quit in late October in the face of mass protests.
Diab, a self-styled technocrat, has vowed to form a cabinet of independent
experts within six weeks.
No Christmas miracle in Lebanon as economic crisis deepens
Timour Azhari/AL JAZEERA NEWS/December 24/2019
Many Lebanese are relying on the generosity of others this Christmas amid
worsening economic and political crises.
Beirut, Lebanon - Atta Issaoui cannot afford Christmas gifts for his children
this year, let alone buy a tree.
"We want to take part in this celebration, but the situation in the country, the
poverty and lack of work has made it difficult," the 55-year-old father of two
said.
Issaoui stood in line to receive presents donated by demonstrators at a protest
encampment in Beirut's Martyrs' Square, the centre of an uprising against the
ruling elite that began in mid-October.
"I thank God there are some who empathise with us, it really does raise our
spirits," he told Al Jazeera.
On Monday night, a Christmas dinner was served to about 1,000 people in Martyrs'
Square, with volunteers cooking under a Christmas tree adorned with symbols of
the uprising.
Small initiatives like these have offered some hope to those struggling amid
Lebanon's worst economic and financial crisis since the country's 15-year civil
war. The currency has depreciated by 30 percent since September over its pegged
rate to the dollar.
But for many in the country, this Christmas remains a bitter one. In the past
few months, scores of businesses have shut their doors, while many others have
laid off workers, reduced their operations or paid only half salaries.
A dollar shortage has led banks to introduce informal capital controls on both
dollars and local currency, leaving many unable to withdraw their meagre
earnings and shaking confidence in the country's banking system, long seen as a
pillar of stability.
Dual crises
The country's economic collapse has been exacerbated by the country's continuing
political crisis. Lebanon has been without a government since October 29, when
former Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned amid mass protests.
President Michel Aoun last week tasked former education minister Hassan Diab
with forming a government, but Diab faces an uphill battle to reconcile the
varying demands of parliamentary blocs and convince protesters, many of whom
have already voiced opposition to the politician.
Meanwhile, the crisis has filtered down to those who struggled before the latest
crisis hit.
Mohammad, 45, who works as a doorman, said his salary of 650,000 Lebanese Lira
($430 at the official rate of 1500 Lebanese lira to the dollar) had been slashed
to just 350,000 Lebanese Lira ($230).
The father of four received a few bags of sweets, colouring pens and a drawing
book from volunteers, which he said would be the only presents he could offer
this year.
"I've never been worse off. My kids haven't eaten meat for three weeks, there is
no Christmas cheer, there is nothing to be happy for," said Mohammad, who wished
to only go by his first name. "I don't even have the money to get a bus to my
home," he added, walking off towards Beirut's Hamra district.
The 'Mad Max' scenario
It is unlikely the situation will improve any time soon, according to Dan Azzi,
an expert on Lebanon's finances and former chairman and CEO of Standard
Chartered Bank.
"Politicians need to stop messing around, else they preside over the biggest
collapse in the history of Lebanon," Azzi told Al Jazeera.
He said that the best-case scenario depended on immediate, decisive measures
being implemented as soon as possible. This includes formal, transparent
policies to manage the flow of capital in and out of the country, and targeted
tariffs, including on luxury cars.
He also advocates for so-called financial haircuts or the confiscation of a
certain percentage of the highest depositor accounts. He said that some $90bn in
Lebanon's banks was held by just 6,000 depositors
Much of that money is the result of high interest rates Lebanese banks put in
place to attract dollars.
"It's fake money," Azzi said. "It's unearned interest that has been subsidised
by the Lebanese public. So you need to go in and give them a big haircut and
then you can move on to focusing on creating a real economy," he said. If state
policies remain unchanged, Azzi said Lebanon was heading towards the "Mad-Max
scenario", a reference to the dystopian film of the same name, set after the
collapse of civilised human life.
"If we keep procrastinating and wasting time, or get a government that doesn't
have the know-how or the intestinal fortitude to execute the right decision,
then we go to a Mad Max-type scenario," Azzi said.
There have already been signs of brewing chaos at banks in Lebanon, with a
number of depositors refusing to leave until they are given their cash. In one
video, a man says he would "burn the bank" if he was not given his money. Back
in Martyrs' Square, many clung to any hope they could find in the generosity of
others. Clasping four books bound in cheerful Christmas wrapping, Ahmad, 53,
said that he hoped 2020 would be "a year of revenge," against corrupt
politicians.
"Everything is getting worse, but we have hope in the revolution, that these
corrupt ones are soon heading to their execution," Ahmad, who wished to only go
by his first name, added. "We still have our dreams."
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
December 24-25/2019
The cruise missiles that struck IRGC Air
Force HQ in Syria – a telling blow for Iran’s Mid-East plans
DEBKAFILE/December 24/2019
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Air Force chief, Gen. Amir-Ali Hajizadeh,
escaped the fate of the “three foreigners” killed when 3-4 cruise missiles flew
from warships off the Syria coast on Sunday night, Dec. 22, and crashed into his
Syrian headquarters at Agraba, south of Damascus. But the three victims were
almost certainly air force officers, which sparked reports that the general was
among them. The hit clearly came a lot too close for comfort. Indicating that
something important had just happened, Tehran moved fast for damage control.
Within hours, Iran’s state news agency IRNA informed reporters that Gen.
Hajizadeh “is in perfect health,” while also claiming that the missile attack’s
targets had ranged from the tomb of the Shiite Saint Seyyeda Zeinab south of
Damascus up to the big T-4 air base near Homs. Even if the IRGC Air Force
general escaped unharmed, the missiles striking his Syrian headquarters carried
this message: “We know exactly where you are and are tracking your movements. Be
warned.” Gen. Hajizadeh, our sources disclose, was the master-planner, who
designed and oversaw down to the last detail the execution of Iran’s massive
cruise-missile-drone attack on Saudi oil infrastructure on Sept. 14, which for a
while knocked out half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production. The unidentified party
which attacked his Syrian headquarters on Sunday was warning him against
repeating his Saudi feat anywhere in the Middle East, especially Israel. Should
he nonetheless try again, he was duly notified that he would pay the price. The
missile strike on Sunday therefore raised the contest between the US and Israel
on the one hand and Iran on the other to a new level, with both sides ready and
willing to strike at their opponent’s core strategic assets.
Turkish parliament readying bill to allow sending troops to
Libya
Reuters, Ankara/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
Turkey may need to draft a bill to allow for troop deployment to Libya and its
parliament is working on the issue, Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on
Tuesday, after Ankara signed a military cooperation agreement with Tripoli last
month. “There might be a need for an authorization in line with the developments
over there. The parliament is conducting work on this issue,” Kalin told a news
conference in Ankara. “We will continue to support the internationally
recognized Libyan government. This support may be in terms of military training,
or other areas, such as political support,” Kalin said. Turkey backs Libya’s
UN-recognized government and has said it could deploy troops there if it
receives such a request. Libya’s Tripoli-based government has been fighting off
a months-long offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces based in the east of the
country. Speaking in Ankara after a cabinet meeting, Kalin added that Turkey
would continue to provide the necessary support to Fayez al-Serraj’s
Tripoli-based government. Turkey has already sent military supplies to the
Serraj’s government despite a United Nations arms embargo, according to a report
by UN experts seen by Reuters last month. Ankara says Fayez al-Serraj’s
Government of National Accord (GNA) has not yet asked Turkey to deploy troops to
Libya. However, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey would
increase its military support to Libya if necessary and would evaluate ground,
air and marine options. Last week, Russia said it was very concerned about
Turkey’s potential troop deployment in Libya, adding that the military accord
between the two countries raised questions. A Turkish delegation travelled to
Moscow on Monday to discuss developments in Libya and Syria.
Iran Arrests Family of Young Man Killed in 'Riots'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/December 24/2019
Iran has arrested the family of a young man killed in street violence that
flared during last month's protests against fuel price hikes, Mehr news agency
reported Tuesday. The family of Pouya Bakhtiari, who was "killed suspiciously
during the recent riots", had been invited for talks with authorities, Mehr
said, citing what it called an informed source. They were found to have been
"carrying out a counter-revolutionary project" and "anti-structural activities",
said the agency, which is close to moderate conservatives in Iran.
"Consequently, these elements were arrested by a judicial order in order to
protect the order and the security of the honourable people and others damaged
by the rioters," it said without specifying which family members were taken into
custody. Bakhtiari was reportedly killed in Karaj city, west of Tehran, in
street violence that erupted in mid-November during nationwide protests over a
shock decision to hike petrol prices by as much as 200 percent. He was 27. His
Instagram account, which is now reportedly run by his father, announced a
ceremony marking 40 days since his death would be held at Karaj cemetery on
Thursday. It was still active with more than 18,000 followers on Tuesday.
Officials in Iran have yet to issue an overall death toll for the unrest, but
international human rights group Amnesty International has put the number at
more than 300. An Iranian security official rejected a foreign media report on
Monday that the figure was as high as 1,500, saying it was based on "false
propaganda". "This way of news writing and making accusations is essentially
nothing special," said Alireza Zarifian Yeganeh, head of the information and
communications secretariat of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
- 'Ludicrous claims' -
Quoted by the Tasnim news agency, he dismissed the reports as "a series of
ludicrous claims". "And when you would ask this media about its source, it would
refer to some invisible creatures and there is no possibility of
verification."The days of unrest in Iran from November 15 saw police stations
attacked, shops looted and banks and petrol stations torched as authorities
imposed a week-long internet blackout. Videos that have surfaced since purport
to show scenes from the crackdown that followed, including footage of security
forces firing at unarmed demonstrators or beating them with batons. The
United States, France and Germany have all condemned Iran over the bloodshed.
Iran has repeatedly denied casualty figures issued abroad. In a report on
December 2, state television charged that foreign media had been "hyping up" the
death toll. It also said that security forces "had no choice but to resort to
authoritative and tough confrontation in order to save people from the hands of
the rioters, and a number of rioters were killed".
Iraqi Protesters' Ire at Iran Extends to Goods Boycott
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/December 24/2019
Anger over Iran's stranglehold on Baghdad's political system has helped propel
an unprecedented protest movement -- and now Iraqi activists are hitting the
Islamic Republic where it hurts, with a goods boycott. Tehran has held enormous
sway over its neighbour since dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled by a US-led
invasion in 2003. And that influence has spilled over into the commercial arena,
with exports from Iran to Iraq ten times those moving in the opposite direction.
Using the slogan "let them rot", protesters who have taken to the streets since
October 1 to demand wholesale political change are now shunning everything
Iranian -- from fruit to sugary drinks. For 24-year-old protester Hatem Karim,
the boycott kills two birds with one stone. "It allows us to create jobs for
Iraqis and means our money stays in the country", he told AFP. There are even
hopes the boycott could help revive domestic industry, battered by forty years
of intermittent war, a decade of sanctions under Saddam, and ineffectual policy
since the invasion. "We must boycott all foreign goods to support our own
national production", Karim urged. Impromptu open air markets at protest
encampments have stands offering "Made in Iraq" goods to patriotic consumers, in
a country where one in four young people are jobless.
Uphill struggle
Only Turkey exports more to Iraq than Iran, which sends products including cars,
dairy and fresh produce, amounting to a total annual value of around $9 billion
(8.1 billion euros). Iraq is the OPEC cartel's second biggest oil producer, but
more than half of all hydrocarbon revenues have been syphoned off by crooked
politicians and their cronies under recent administrations. The private sector
is almost non-existent and industry is on its knees, with the non-oil trade
balance in heavy deficit. Numerous factories that shut during the 1990s
trade embargo or because of war -- the latest devastating conflict came against
Islamic State jihadists from 2014 to late 2017 -- have simply never re-opened.
Iraqi factories lack the capacity to supply national demand, warns economist
Ahmad Tabaqchali at the Institute of Regional and International Studies in
Sulaymaniyah. "Either they are too small, or they are not profitable", because
there is no private sector ro cover the basic needs of 40 million Iraqis.
"Nearly everything is imported", he told AFP. And if the boycott of
Iranian goods escalates, the main beneficiary will not be Iraqi industry, he
says. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will likely gain the most. Amman recently
signed an agreement with Baghdad exempting taxes on the export of some products.
Local producers are demanding the state drastically increase import taxes to
protect them. They complain they cannot compete with Iran, whose exports have
received support from a currency that has been in free-fall since the US
reimposed sanctions last year.
- 'Made in Iraq' -
But the young protesters are determined to direct their apparently boundless
energy into changing all that. They have launched Facebook groups and film
adverts for locally produced fizzy drinks with sparkling studio quality. "We
want a renaissance at all levels, including trade", says one protester. In the
Shiite holy city of Karbala, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad,
Bassem Zakri looks at yoghurts and white cheeses leaving his factory's
production line. The increasingly revered words "Made in Iraq" appear on each
pot. Production has increased five-fold since the start of the protests on
October 1, reaching forty tonnes per day, he said. One shopper in a supermarket
in central Baghdad sees progress. "Before, Iraqi products were always the most
expensive, but now the price of some goods has more than halved," he told AFP.
Yet, while the boycott may gain momentum, Iranian firms may already be employing
inventive ways to skirt it, according to one activist. An online video shows him
scanning the barcode of a pot of yoghurt stamped with 'Abu Ghreib' -- Baghdad's
biggest dairy firm. Mislabelled, according to the scanner, which flashes 'Made
in Iran' on its screen.
Sufi leader dies in Iran hospital: Report
AFP, Tehran/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
The leader of one of Iran’s largest Sufi sects, Noor Ali Tabandeh, died on
Tuesday in a hospital in Tehran, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported. He
was 92. ISNA said Tabandeh had passed away in the capital’s Mehr hospital, where
he had been admitted on October 31.
It said the cause of death was “old age” and that his body would be flown to his
hometown of Bidokht, in eastern Iran, for a funeral on Wednesday. Tabandeh, also
known as Majzub Ali Shah, was the leader of the Nematollahi order which is based
in the northeastern province of Khorasan but has followers all over Iran. A
student of French literature and law, he obtained a doctorate in Paris in the
1950s before returning to Iran. He was arrested multiple times over the years,
and followers of his order also known as the Gonabadi dervishes repeatedly
clashed with militias and security forces. On March 5, 2017 he published a video
claiming to be under house arrest.The Gonabadis accuse the Iranian state of
frequent harassment and discrimination. In February 2018, at least five security
personnel were killed and more than 300 people arrested during protests by the
Gonabadis in northern Tehran. At the time, the protests were reportedly linked
to the arrest of members of the sect and police efforts to establish security
checkpoints near Tabandeh’s home.
Syria regime forces surround Turkish army post in Idlib:
Monitor
AFP, BeirutTuesday, 24 December 2019
Syrian government forces surrounded a Turkish observation post in the northwest
province of Idlib on Monday after overrunning nearby areas, a war monitor said.
“Regime forces have surrounded the Turkish observation post in al-Surman after
capturing several towns and villages, including Jarjanaz and al-Surman” in the
southeast of the province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights’ Rami Abdel
Rahman said. Since Thursday, regime forces supported by Russian airstrikes have
taken control of dozens of towns and villages near the strategic city of Maaret
al-Numan.
Russian airstrikes kill eight in Syria’s Saraqib city:
Monitor
Agencies/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
At least eight people, including five children, were killed Tuesday in Russian
air strikes on a school in northwest Syria sheltering displaced civilians,
according to a war monitor. The strikes targeted the village of Jubass near the
town of Saraqib in southern Idlib province, killing civilians sheltering in and
near a school, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Airstrikes on the rebel-held town killed seven people and wounded more than a
dozen on Saturday in Syria’s, opposition activists said. The attack came amid a
government offensive in the region. The casualties on Saturday came as
government forces captured two new villages on the southern edge of Idlib. Idlib
is the last remaining rebel stronghold in the war-torn country. The province has
been the center point of a government push under the cover of airstrikes,
according to opposition activists and pro-government media. The offensive has
already forced thousands of civilians to abandon their homes and flee for their
lives.
Israel announces restoring Gaza maritime fishing zone
AFP, Jerusalem/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
The maritime fishing zone for the Gaza Strip will be re-extended to 15 nautical
miles from Tuesday morning, an Israeli military authority said. The move was
confirmed by the Palestinian union of fishermen, with activity permitted in the
extended zone from 8:00 am (0600 GMT).
COGAT, a unit of Israel’s defense ministry, had reduced the fishing zone off the
coast to 10 nautical miles on Thursday, due to rocket fire from the Palestinian
enclave. Gaza has been ruled by the militant group Hamas since 2007, which along
with its allies has fought three wars with the Jewish state since 2008.
Turkey keeps businessman in jail despite European court
release call
Reuters, Silivri/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
A Turkish court ruled on Tuesday to keep businessman and philanthropist Osman
Kavala in jail, despite a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) call for his
release, as his trial over his involvement in 2013 protests continued. Kavala
has been in custody for more than two years, charged with attempting to
overthrow the government by organizing and funding nationwide protests against
then-Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Kavala, who faces life in jail if convicted,
denies the allegations. Fifteen other defendants are on trial along with Kavala,
who is currently the only one in jail. Their trial was adjourned until January
28. The European court called for his immediate release two weeks ago, saying
there was a lack of reasonable suspicion that he had committed an offence. ECHR
rulings are legally binding, but Turkey has frequently not implemented them. The
Turkish court said it decided to keep Kavala in jail due to the severity of the
alleged crimes and was awaiting a response from the justice ministry on whether
the ECHR ruling was final. The indictment cited tapped phone calls in which
Kavala discussed sending pastries, milk, juice and gas masks to protesters as
evidence that he financed the protests.
The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published
on December 24-25/2019
On Christmas, let's reflect on the promise communities make to one another
Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson/The National/December 24/2019
The antidote to fear is knowledge and love and the more you learn about other
faiths, the deeper friendships grow
By any standards, 2019 has been an extraordinary year for the UAE. It began with
the dedication of the year to promoting the value of tolerance, the first time
that any government anywhere in the world has intentionally structured its whole
policy, both domestic and foreign, around promoting tolerance.
In February, Pope Francis made a three-day visit to the UAE, the first ever tour
of the Gulf region by a pontiff. The papal visit culminated in a Christian act
of worship attended by an estimated 180,000 Catholics. It was an historic event
and an incredible statement of welcome to the Christian community residing in
the UAE. During the visit, Pope Francis signed, along with the Grand Imam of Al
Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb, a document known as the Human Fraternity Declaration.
I am so proud to live in a country which is offering hope, not just as a
political or religious ideal but as a lived reality
This document called on Roman Catholics and Muslims to commit to living out the
teachings of faith that emphasise love and fraternity. It acknowledged that
religion was both a cause of, and also a solution to, global trends of
intolerance. It is a doctrine that has captured the imagination of countries
outside the UAE. Earlier this month I was in Brussels speaking to a group of
politicians from the European Parliament, who were asking how the message coming
from the UAE could be adapted to counteract a disturbing rise of prejudice and
hate crime across Europe.
That meeting in Brussels was followed by the Forum for Peace hosted in Abu Dhabi
earlier this month, in which 500 religious leaders, mainly from the Abrahamic
religions, expressed their commitment to supporting religious freedom across the
Middle East. It is hoped that this commitment will impact domestic policies
across the region.
It is noteworthy that at this moment in global history, good news is coming out
of the Middle East. Set against a backdrop of resurgent nationalism, terrorism
informed by extreme political and religious ideologies, a massive rise in the
number of refugees, history has taught us that in dark times, hope emerges from
desert lands. Think of the messages of Moses, Jesus and the Prophet Mohammed. In
such a negative climate of division and suspicion between nations and religious
communities, the UAE announced its intention to build a mosque, a church and a
synagogue side by side under the umbrella of the Abrahamic Family House as an
iconic statement of a better way to live. I am so proud to live in a country
which is offering hope, not just as a political or religious ideal but as a
lived reality.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Last day of Simbang Gabi, a nine day series of
masses practiced by the Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas at St.
JosephÕs Cathedral in Mushrif. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Mass in anticipation of Christmas at St Joseph's Cathedral in Mushrif, Abu
Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Members of the Filipino community gather in massive numbers for the last day of
Simbang Gabi held at St Joseph's Cathedral in Mushrif, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum
Bhandari for The National
The Filipino community gathers for Simbang Gabi at St Joseph's Cathedral in
Mushrif, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
For this reason, I was deeply honoured this year to receive a UAE Pioneer award
from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The
significance of this award was an affirmation for the whole Christian community
who live in the UAE. Christians in all seven of the emirates seek to be faithful
followers of Jesus by blessing the nation through their diligent work and
witness. It was also an affirmation of my work as an interfaith activist.
The goal of good interfaith dialogue is reconciliation. Reconciliation should
lead to deeper understanding of the other, a means to confront injustice and
prejudice, and ultimately to see, know and love the other in response to the
divine imperative embedded in all religions, which is to love God and neighbour.
MORE FROM THE REVEREND CANON ANDREW THOMPSON
Jesus of Arabia's lessons in tolerance have much to teach us today
For the last decade, interfaith initiatives in the Middle East have been largely
sporadic, focused mainly on commonalities, and have largely been the domain of
intellectuals and academics. While this seems a limitation of the movement so
far, at least it is a starting place and things are beginning to change.
Relationships are morphing into deep friendships, trust is being established and
from there I can see the next decade evolving into interfaith dialogue, which
will be translated into grassroots action in the form of communities mutually
rejecting any unacceptable and harmful ideologies and behaviour.
I would want religious communities around the world to examine the Human
Fraternity Declaration and allow it to speak to them as an invitation to join in
by living out their faiths with authenticity and faithfulness. There is mileage
in getting this document discussed in a wider setting, involving local
communities and seeing it not only as a declaration of ideals but as the basis
for an agreement between communities in which, like a marriage covenant, we are
invited to say: “I do”. There is great power released when individuals and
groups make a promise to one another.
This is one action that can be taken to counter the suspicion held by
fundamentalists in all religions that interfaith dialogue means compromise, a
loosening of deeply held religious convictions in order to accommodate the
other.
Such a negative suspicion of interfaith activity is always fuelled by fear. This
has not been my experience. In fact, the more I open myself to learning about
other faiths, the deeper my friendship are with them, the more I cherish my own
faith. The antidote to fear is knowledge and love.
Effective interfaith activism is very simple. It starts with education. We need
to encourage people, including children, to learn about the great world faiths.
The best attitude for learning is that one is open and generous to study not for
the sake of criticising the other but rather, to cultivate what has come to be
termed a “holy envy”, in which we learn to value that which is good, true and
honourable in the beliefs of others.
On Christmas Day, as Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus,
we are reminded again of the message of the Christmas angels who thronged the
skies of the Middle East and declared: “Glory to God in the highest and on
Earth, peace to all his favour rests upon”.
Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson is the chaplain of St Andrew’s Anglican Church in
Abu Dhabi and the author of Jesus of Arabia, which is available in English and
Arabic
Christmas cries for help from hostages in Iran
Jason Rezaian/The Washington Post/December 24/2019
As they spend another holiday separated from their loved ones, foreign nationals
wrongfully detained in Iran are desperately calling for more attention to their
plights, victims of geopolitics to which they have no connection. It’s a feeling
I know well, given that I spent two holiday seasons in an Iranian prison.
This week, two university professors — Kylie Moore-Gilbert of Australia’s
University of Melbourne and Fariba Adelkhah of France’s Sciences Po university —
announced in an open letter smuggled from Evin Prison that they would begin a “a
joint hunger strike in the name of academic freedom” on Christmas Eve. The pair
say they have been denied their most basic human rights and have been subjected
to psychological torture.
“We are striking not only to demand our immediate freedom, but to ask for
justice for the countless, thousands, unnamed yet not forgotten men and women
who have suffered the same fate as ours or worse, and have been imprisoned in
Iran, having committed no crime,” they wrote.
It would be a damning injustice to callously ignore their cries for help. Yet
several governments with nationals detained in Iran seem to be doing very little
to win the freedom of their kidnapped citizens.
Earlier this month, the U.S. government was able to secure the release of Xiyue
Wang, a Princeton University researcher who had been held in Iran since 2016.
But several other Americans — along with citizens of the United Kingdom,
Australia, France, Sweden and Austria — remain behind bars. And those are the
ones we know about. The chances for releases in most of these cases look bleak
and would only be possible with the intervention of their home governments.
Over the weekend, authorities in Tehran announced updates to two of the cases.
Moore-Gilbert, who was in Iran doing academic research on a valid visa and had
apparently been invited to guest-lecture at a university there, was convicted
earlier this year on a 10-year sentence for spying. As is the norm in cases of
foreign nationals accused by the Islamic republic of national security offenses,
there was no public trial, no evidence and no due process. To those of us who
follow Iran’s hostage-taking habit, it was unsurprising when her appeal was
rejected over the weekend.
In addition to her joint letter with Adelkhah, Moore-Gilbert sent out another
message directly to Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison.
“I have undertaken 5 hunger strikes as my only means to raise my voice, but to
no avail,” she wrote. “I beg of you, Prime Minister Morrison, to take immediate
action, as my physical and mental health continues to deteriorate with every
additional day that I remain imprisoned in these conditions.”
Moore-Gilbert is being held in section 2A of Evin Prison — the section run by
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and the only part of the prison to which other
branches of government cannot demand access. It is Iran’s equivalent of what we
would refer to as a black site, and it’s where I spent the entirety of my 544
days imprisoned.
All contact with the outside world is tightly controlled. Isolation from human
contact and information are the defining characteristics of the experience.
Foreign nationals are routinely held there, but once a verdict is handed down by
the Revolutionary Court, they are usually moved to the general ward. That has
not happened in Moore-Gilbert’s case.
“Make sure this does not go unnoticed,” she told the individual who smuggled out
the letter on her behalf.
Iran’s decision to deny her appeal should be the clearest indication yet that
she is a political prisoner — like so many who have come before her. One of
those others who is still behind bars in Evin is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a
British citizenwho has been held for nearly four years after she returned to
Iran to visit her parents with her 2-year-old daughter, Gabriella.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe was charged with attempting the “soft overthrow” of the
Islamic republic — a charge as ridiculous as it sounds.
On Sunday, Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s lawyer said his client’s request for an early
release for good behavior — a common practice in Iran once a convict has served
a third of their sentence — had been denied. Again, this is par for the course
for the Islamic republic’s hostages.
Last month I paid a visit to Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s home. She, of course, was
absent. Instead, I spent the evening with her husband, Richard, and Gabriella,
now 5. This child, who has already endured so much, has no memories of being
with both her parents.
To me, this little girl symbolizes just how sinister Iran’s hostage-taking is.
As Western leaders calculate the costs of negotiating the releases of their
innocent citizens held in Tehran, I hope Moore-Gilbert’s words ring in their
ears and they see Gabriella’s face when they close their eyes. Continuing to
ignore them is no longer an option.
After the Khashoggi verdict: time to move on
Ghanem Nuseibeh/Al Arabiya/Tuesday, 24 December 2019
The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is one of the most heinous crimes
of our generation. The perpetrators are monsters. Those who defend them are also
devoid of humanity.
The people far and away the most affected by this crime were his family,
represented by his sons. They have had to endure over a year of gruesome details
of how their father was brutally murdered. I have the greatest sympathy for what
they have endured. They need closure. Salah Khashoggi wrote soon after the Saudi
judiciary published its verdict that the family of Jamal were satisfied with the
verdict. This was soon echoed by his other son who retweeted Salah’s tweet.
Salah’s tweet was as close as one can expect to a plea to everyone, whether
supporters or critics of the Saudi government, to move on. The family of Jamal
Khashoggi deserve to be left in peace. They knew what their father wanted. He
did not hide his criticism of the Saudi leadership, but at the same time, abided
by Saudi laws.
I am personally ideologically opposed to capital punishment but Mr Khashoggi
wasn’t. This is one of the many things I disagreed with Jamal Khashoggi about.
Mr Khashoggi’s killers were convicted and sentenced to death. Mr Khashoggi’s
family supported the verdict and no one can claim moral superiority to them. Nor
can anyone claim a closer bond to Jamal Khashoggi than his own flesh and blood.
That is where we are now.
Just as I feel strong empathy towards Mr Khashoggi’s family and respect their
desire to find closure, I equally feel disgust at the way in which some people
continue to use his death for political reasons to undermine the country that he
loved and where his family continues to live. They are using this human tragedy
for political gain.
The judiciary has said its word. Rejecting the verdict on political grounds sets
an extremely dangerous precedent and it has only one purpose: to undermine the
stability of the country and the reforms that are taking place in the Kingdom.
Jamal Khashoggi’s family, who were continuously updated with details of the
investigation and sentencing, are unequivocally satisfied with what they saw.
The Saudi judiciary does not answer to foreign political powers or pundits, who
for whatever ideological or other reasons, wish to see the case remain open.
There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia suffered immense reputational damage from
the fallout of the murder. The country is undergoing unprecedented reforms at
the heart of which is essentially the normalisation of the country where
personal freedoms are no longer subject to the religious establishment. The
Saudi government is working hard to open the country to foreign visitors, both
tourists and investors. This is not only a long overdue development for the
average Saudi, but is also very important for regional and global stability.
Attempts to undermine Saudi Arabia by keeping the Khashoggi case open with
amateurish analysis more reminiscent of a public relations exercise than of
sound judicial commentary, will only serve the aims of religious extremists who
are opposed to the reforms. Whether intentionally or not, those attacking the
judiciary after the verdict will use any other reason to continue their
ideologically-motivated attacks against the Kingdom. Jamal Khashoggi was an
excuse, and now that the verdict has been issued, the sentences handed down and
his own family has accepted it, that excuse is no longer valid.
The most fitting tribute to Jamal Khashoggi’s memory would be to respect what
his family wants: to accept the verdict and move on.
*Ghanem Nuseibeh is the Founder of Cornerstone Global Associates, a strategy
consultancy based in London. He is also the Chairman of the UK-based non-profit
Muslims Against Anti-Semitism. He tweets at @gnuseibeh
Korean peace through myriad acts
Moon Jae-in/Arab News/December 24/2019
Peace is not a state of tranquility. Peace can come about only through dialogue
and numerous meetings, by taking bold actions that make the impossible possible,
and by persistently looking for reasons why it is preferable.
I like forests. If you take a close look, you will discover that they are
constantly on the move. Leaves conduct photosynthesis, ants march in single file
transporting food, and tensions between game animals and predators perpetually
run high. Forests are peaceful because myriad interconnected actors rely on one
another even while they compete.
Mahatma Gandhi said: “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.” As his
words suggest, peace is about making vociferous self-assertions while harboring
aspirations. It also comes in the course of expressing concurring and dissenting
opinions, and it cannot be obtained by any individual alone.
Think of a football match: No matter how much we root for our team, the game
will never commence unless we also recognize the opposing side. Peace exists
amid the rowdiness of a football stadium.
I believe that peace begins the moment the words “let us create peace” are
uttered. It would be desirable if peace could arrive after a patient, silent
wait, but it will not come without action.
The possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula was a real concern up until the
end of 2017. But the Korean people wanted peace, so I sent North Korea a message
of peace from Berlin. The North responded positively by participating in the
2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, opening the door for multiple inter-Korean and
US-North Korea summits.
Today, the peninsula is witnessing its greatest peace-making efforts. Even if
there are no visible developments, the trend toward peace is flowing vigorously
below the surface. Not a single pistol is left in the Joint Security Area, and
excavations to find the remains of those who died in the war began after guard
posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) were torn down. So peace is inching
forward.
Today, the peninsula is witnessing its greatest peace-making efforts. Even if
there are no visible developments, the trend toward peace is flowing vigorously
below the surface.
Nonetheless, more action is needed to achieve peace on the peninsula. The North
Korean nuclear and missile issues have yet to be resolved, and the North is
still cautious about engaging fully. North Korea and the US are both demanding
that the other take action first. If the North continues to implement
denuclearization sincerely, the international community too should
correspondingly show its efforts.
Fortunately, the shared trust between the US and North Korean leaders remains
intact, and their commitment to dialogue is unchanged. It is time for actions to
be taken in response to actions, and the international community should join
forces in this effort.
At the last UN General Assembly, I declared three principles for peace on the
Korean Peninsula: Zero tolerance for war, a mutual security guarantee, and
co-prosperity. Based on these principles, and before the international
community, I proposed transforming the DMZ across the midriff of the peninsula
into an international peace zone.
The DMZ is a colossal green zone that stretches 250 km from east to west and 4
km from north to south. This tragic space, spawned by 70 years of military
confrontation, has paradoxically become a pristine ecological treasure trove. It
also has become a symbolic space steeped in history, embracing both the yearning
for peace and the tragedy of division that is embodied by the Joint Security
Area, guard posts and barbed-wire fences.
I believe that if the international community collectively removes the 380,000
landmines buried in the DMZ, and the UN and other international organizations
open offices in the zone, these steps can play the role of a security guarantee
on the Korean Peninsula.
Transforming the DMZ in this way would institutionally and realistically
guarantee North Korea’s security and simultaneously bring permanent peace to the
South. It would serve as an opportunity to help establish a substantive peace
regime and achieve denuclearization on the peninsula while receiving support
from the international community.
South Korea dreams of becoming a bridging nation. Geopolitically, it is the only
country in the world surrounded by four major powers. In the past, the peninsula
was regarded as the periphery of both the continent and the ocean, and sometimes
was reduced to an arena in which world powers competed.
But if the peninsula were to achieve peace, South Korea would be in a position
to connect the continent and ocean, and lead efforts to establish a peaceful,
prosperous order in northeast Asia. The peninsula serving as such a bridge would
benefit ourselves, northeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), as well as the global peace order.
By playing a bridging role, South Korea intends to bring about a people-centered
community of peace and mutual prosperity. The New Northern Policy is testimony
to its continental aspirations. South Korea aims to expand the foundation of
cooperation to include not only China and Russia but also Central Asia and
Europe, and to establish cornerstones for multilateral cooperation and security
through the East Asian Railroad Community Initiative.
The New Southern Policy, meanwhile, attests to its maritime ambition. This will
help elevate South Korea’s relations with ASEAN and India to the same level as
those it has with the major powers surrounding the peninsula, and develop a
cooperative partnership of common prosperity with them.
Through peace, South Korea intends to walk the path that ultimately leads to a
peace-driven economy. Reconnecting severed railroads and roads between North and
South is the first step toward becoming a bridging nation that leads to peace
and prosperity in East Asia.
The peace economy will create a virtuous circle where the two Koreas prosper
together through economic cooperation with surrounding countries by ushering in
an era when division no longer impedes peace and prosperity, which will in turn
solidify peace.
If the peninsula were to achieve peace, South Korea would be in a position to
connect the continent and ocean, and lead efforts to establish a peaceful,
prosperous order in northeast Asia.
South Korea has benefited immensely from the international community. It was
liberated from colonial rule in the same year that the UN was founded, and later
was able to overcome the ravages of war with aid from the UN and the
international community.
Now, the South intends to contribute to international peace and prosperity with
a sense of responsibility commensurate with its development. The peace economy
will expedite humanity’s dream of a world in which everyone prospers together.
No matter how desperately peace is desired, South Korea cannot afford to race
ahead on its own. It has counterparts and must move within the international
order. Working-level negotiations and a third summit between North Korea and the
US would be the most critical juncture in the entire process of achieving
denuclearization and establishing peace on the peninsula.
Support from the international community and concerted actions are needed now
more than ever. The wave of peace that began at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics
will flow steadfastly into the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing
Winter Olympics. In addition, the two Koreas have agreed to cooperate on a joint
bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. I therefore ask the international
community for its support in that regard.
I am confident that if dialogue and corresponding actions continue, we will need
each other more and peace will eventually come. I hope that we can talk more
often about peace, advance our respective ideas, and take various actions while
moving steadily toward it.
It is my hope that the international community will come together and offer
unceasing advice until the Korean Peninsula, finally at peace, can shake off the
misfortunes spawned by division and conflict, and provide humanity with a new
beacon of hope.
*Moon Jae-in is president of South Korea. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2019
Oslo Accords may prove to be best defense against ICC probe
Dr. Matan Gutman/Ynetnews/December 24/2019
Analysis: Palestinians draw on a 2012 resolution, which upgrades them to a UN
non-member observer state, when insisting they have a case in the Hague; but
Israel can make a number of valid legal arguments to prove law is on its side
The decision by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou
Bensouda to open an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel
in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is dramatic and requires resolute Israeli
action.
But, the road to indictments of senior Israeli government and military officials
is a long one and in many ways the Oslo accords, despite being vilified by the
right-wing, could prove to be Israel's best defense.
The question prevalent in judicial quarters is what is the likelihood that the
investigation by the Hague prosecutor could eventually lead to indictments?
Firstly, however, we need to ask whether the ICC has jurisdiction over Israelis
acting in the Palestinian territories (as they have been defined by the court)?
Is there is jurisdiction, then the question is whether the probe is launched in
accordance with the principle of complementarity, which states that the
international tribunal will exercise its authority as a last resort, when states
are unable or unwilling to carry out their duty to launch investigations.
Regarding the question of jurisdiction, Israel must argue that the ICC cannot
assume an authority over citizens of a country that had signed the Rome Status
(the treaty formed by the ICC) but had declared that it will not ratify the
agreement (similarly to the United States) and therefore is not bound by it.
According to the Rome treaty, if a person commits a war crime in the territory
of a country that is a signatory of the treaty, even if that person is a citizen
of another state, the court has jurisdiction to investigate and persecute that
person.
Palestinians joined as signatories of the treaty in 2014 and are now attempting
through their membership to enforce the court's authority over Israel.
Israel's legal answer to that is only a state can join the Rome Treaty, and the
question of whether a Palestinian state exists according to international law,
is in dispute.
The Palestinian argument is based on UN resolution 67/19 from 2012 which
upgraded the Palestinian Authority to a non-member observer state.
Israel's position is that there is no Palestinian state and therefore the
initial condition for the ICC's intervention, does not apply.
Another legal defense argument at Israel's disposal regarding jurisdiction lies
in the Oslo Accords.
The Accords state that Israel has sole jurisdiction over criminal acts committed
by Israelis in the territories.
Israel can claim if Palestinian courts cannot try Israelis – as stipulated in
the Oslo accords – they have no authority they can hand off to an outside
tribunal.
As to the principle of complementarity, assuming the ICC does have jurisdiction
over Israelis, local courts have precedence over the international tribunal.
On this point, as far as the IDF's actions in the territories are concerned,
Israel can make the valid legal argument that it possesses independent
investigative and controlling bodies within its legal system, thereby nullifying
any need for external intervention.
The Israeli settlement question, however, may not be as clear cut in using this
argument. Israel considers its settlement policy to be in compliance with the
law and therefore no internal review of the policy has been conducted.
*Dr. Matan Gutman holds an LLM from Harvard Law School and a Ph.D. in
Administrative Law from Bar Ilan University. Gutman was a member of the
committee reviewing the actions of the IDF during the 2014 Gaza campaign known
as Operation Protective Edge.