English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For July 27/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2025/english.july27.25.htm
News Bulletin Achieves
Since 2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Click On
The Below Link To Join Elias Bejjaninews whatsapp group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FPF0N7lE5S484LNaSm0MjW
اضغط
على الرابط في
أعلى للإنضمام
لكروب
Eliasbejjaninews whatsapp group
Elias Bejjani/Click
on the below link to subscribe to my youtube channel
الياس
بجاني/اضغط
على الرابط في
أسفل للإشتراك في
موقعي ع اليوتيوب
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOOSioLh1GE3C1hp63Camw
Bible Quotations For today
Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is
well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the
Gentiles
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 12/14-21/:”But the
Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. When Jesus
became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of
them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had
been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed
or quench a smouldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name
the Gentiles will hope.’
Titles For The
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on July 26-27/2025
In Syria, the Ruler Changed but the Regime Remained... Turkey Replaced
Iran/Elias Bejjani/July 24/2025
Video Link to Interview on “Ahmad Zaid” Platform With Colonel Charbel Barakat
Link to a Video Interview with Dr. Charles Chartouni From the “Al-Badil” YouTube
Platform
Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69
Renowned, multi-talented Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani passes away
Remembering Ziad Rahbani: The legend who rewrote Lebanon's soundtrack
Hezbollah Commander and Two Others Killed in Israeli Strikes
One Killed in Israeli Drone Strike on Vehicle in Srifa
Nassar Announces Completion of Judicial Independence Draft Law
Hajjar Stresses Coordinated Security Efforts
Berri meets PM Salam, holds series of meetings on political and security
developments
Year-end deadline for mass returns: Lebanon moves to close chapter on Syrian
refugees
US criticizes French release of jailed Lebanese militant
Tripoli in Mourning: Twin Toddlers Die in Apartment Fire
Reluctant Settlements with No Preconditions/Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/26
July/2025
Lebanese President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on
Disarmament
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on July 26-27/2025
Jordan’s King
Abdullah, Trump discuss Gaza and Syria in phone call
Nine killed in courthouse attack in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, Iranian
media report
Israeli military says ‘projectile’ fired at Israel from Gaza Strip
Hamas rejects Trump remarks on Gaza talks breakdown
Israeli gunfire and strikes kill at least 42 in Gaza as many of the dead sought
aid
The latest child to starve to death in Gaza weighed less than when she was born
UK ‘taking forward’ Gaza food airdrop plan: PM Starmer’s office
Freedom Flotilla aid boat approaching Gaza shores, group says
At least 25 people killed by Israeli gunshots and strikes in Gaza, some while
seeking aid
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Greece’s capital Athens and residents
are told to evacuate
Pope Leo discusses war in Ukraine with Russian Orthodox Church official
Ukraine says its drones hit warfare plant in Russia
Trump says he is seeking a ceasefire between Thailand, Cambodia
Palestinians hold mixed views as France prepares to recognize state
Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks in Paris amid escalation in the south
Syria, Israel agree to further talks on de-escalating conflict, Ekhbariya TV
reports
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sources
on July 26-27/2025
‘Humanitarian city’
and ‘voluntary migration’ are inhumane and involuntary/Yossi Mekelberg/Arab
News/July 26, 2025
Turkiye stands to gain from waning Western support for Israel/Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab
News/July 26, 2025
Modi’s UK visit shows Europe is warming to India/Andrew Hammond/Arab News/July
26, 2025
The Middle East Between Conflictual and Reformist Mentality/Dr. Mansour Al-Shammari/Asharq
Al Awsat/July 26/2025
'Bring the Head of Trump': Iran Must Be Stopped/Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone
Institute./July 26, 2025
Selected Tweets for 26 July/2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on July 25-26/2025
In Syria, the Ruler Changed but the Regime Remained... Turkey Replaced Iran
Elias Bejjani/July 24/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145618/
Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKu6wjcGKjM&t=217s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gole3iFLI2U&t=7s
The head changed, but the body remained the same. This summarizes what happened
in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s barrel-bomb and chemical regime.
The dictatorship was not broken—it merely changed face. The mafia that ruled the
country did not disappear; it was replaced by a more extremist one, led by the
terrorist Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as "al-Jolani", leader of "Hay'at Tahrir
al-Sham" (formerly al-Nusra Front). With Assad’s fall, the authoritarian
structure and security apparatus remained—only the patron changed, from Iran's
mullahs to Erdogan’s Turkey, from Assad's “resistance axis” to Erdogan’s
cross-border Islamist Brotherhood project.
Al-Jolani’s Dictatorship: A New Face of Repression in the Name of Religion
Al-Jolani, who led jihadists in Idlib, quickly rebranded himself as “President”
of the new Syria, under Turkish regional backing and international complicity,
particularly from the West, Israel, and some Gulf states who seem to have traded
the real Syrian revolution for an illusion of "stability."
This illusory "stability" is based on the culture of political Islam, jihadism,
and Salafism, aimed at eliminating opponents, suppressing minorities, and
re-producing dictatorship with a sectarian face. Al-Jolani is forcefully
imposing Sharia law in its Muslim Brotherhood form on Christian areas,
threatening Christians with conversion or violence. The Church of Mar Elias in
Damascus was bombed by one of al-Jolani’s followers, killing dozens. He also
committed mass atrocities against Alawites in Latakia, killing over ten thousand
in a clearly sectarian campaign.
The Kurds, who initially cooperated with al-Jolani, were also betrayed. He
demanded they disarm without guarantees or political participation, repeating
the Brotherhood’s infamous pattern of treachery under Erdogan.
Sweida: An Open Wound
What is happening in Sweida with the Druze continues unabated. Al-Jolani’s
bloody, hateful, and ideologically driven regime did not stop with earlier
massacres around Damascus. He now continues a policy of terror and
assassinations in southern Syria through jihadist death squads and armed Bedouin
militias that he funds and hides behind—with Turkish support—under the pretext
of “rebellion” or “collaboration with Israel.”
Economic Restructuring... Legalized Theft
A shocking investigative report by Reuters on July 24, 2025, revealed how the
president’s brother, Hazem al-Sharaa, is secretly leading a restructuring of
Syria’s economy with the help of an Australian-Lebanese terrorist financier
named Ibrahim Skaria (Abu Maryam), listed under terrorism sanctions.
Together, this shadowy duo is looting billions under the guise of “economic
reforms,” redistributing wealth to corrupt businessmen from the Assad era in
exchange for immunity. The result: institutionalized corruption, legalized
expropriation, and continued security-state dominance under new Islamist
branding.
Over $1.6 billion has been seized from three Assad-era figures, while Hazem al-Sharaa
and his partners now control Syria’s top telecom, oil, and aviation companies.
“Sham Wings” became “Fly Sham” in a suspicious deal, and a new sovereign fund
was created under the presidency, managed exclusively by Hazem—without any
public oversight.
From al-Nusra to the Presidential Palace: The New Caliphate?
Once known as "Abu Mohammad al-Jolani", he is now called “President Ahmad al-Sharaa”,
with his militias embedded in the state under names like “economic committees.”
There is no constitution, no elections, no pluralism. No place for dissent,
minorities, or human rights. Just clerical rule—an Islamic state in civilian
disguise—managed by Erdogan with a green light from the international community.
Erdogan’s Role in Fueling Conflict and Blocking Arab-Israeli Peace
In Syria’s tangled scene, one cannot ignore Erdogan’s destructive role. Like
Iran, he uses similar tools: stirring wars, weakening states, and obstructing
peace. By activating his jihadist proxies in Idlib and northern Syria, Erdogan
stokes conflict among Syrians and between them and minority groups—Druze,
Alawites, Christians, and Kurds—as seen today in Sweida, and previously in Homs,
Afrin, and Ras al-Ayn. This is a deliberate strategy to fragment societies and
make Syria a battleground for his expansionist ambitions. Worse still, these
conflicts serve a broader regional goal: to block normalization between Israel
and Arab states—especially Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Abraham Accords.
Erdogan is replicating Iran’s tactics—just like Hamas did with “Al-Aqsa
Flood”—by using HTS and similar militias to keep the region in permanent unrest,
sabotaging peace. Erdogan’s deep hatred for Arabs is clear. His neo-Ottoman
project aims to deny them the right to decide their future or make peace without
Turkish interference. Like Iran, he exploits the Palestinian issue for political
gain—hypocrisy disguised as solidarity—to expand his power at the expense of
Arab sovereignty and stability.
Erdogan Controls al-Jolani and Threatens the Arab World
It is now obvious—even to the blind and ignorant—that Erdogan, the neo-Ottoman
Islamist, sponsors and controls the jihadist al-Jolani. He is the godfather of
the Muslim Brotherhood and their protector. In short, all the massacres
committed in Syria—against Christians, Druze, Alawites, Kurds, and
freedom-loving free Muslims—are engineered by Erdogan to pave the way for his
Islamist-Turkish domination of the region.
Assad Is Gone... But the Regime Remains
Let it be said plainly: Assad is gone, but the regime remains. It has only been
rebranded—with more extremist Islamism. Repression remains. Sectarianism
remains. The politicized economy remains—but with new faces and new flags. The
revolution did not win—it was aborted. Syria was not liberated—it was
re-occupied. Not by Iran this time, but by Turkey. The only difference is that
al-Jolani speaks in the name of “Islamic moderation” instead of “resistance.”
Conclusion: Syria Caught Between Two Jaws – The Countdown Begins
Syria is no longer a state. It is a farm run by a former jihadist under the name
of al-Sharaa. The greatest danger is that this regime—which combines Assad’s
corruption, al-Qaeda’s extremism, and the Muslim Brotherhood’s cunning—could
spark an even greater explosion.
Druze are bleeding, Christians are threatened, Alawites are slaughtered, Kurds
are targeted, and the world watches under the banner of “reconstruction
opportunity.”
This is the farce of the century—and Syria is its first victim.
Video Link to
Interview on “Ahmad Zaid” Platform With Colonel Charbel Barakat
Title: How and Why the Lebanese Civil War Broke Out
Date: July 26, 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145688/
In this in-depth and historically grounded interview, Colonel Charbel Barakat
offers a comprehensive explanation of Lebanon’s strategic location, its
historical mission, and its enduring national role—both past and present.
Barakat delves into the intricate local, regional, and international dynamics
that led to the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. He presents a detailed
historical analysis of its underlying causes, emphasizing the need for a
rational and informed understanding of Lebanon’s past tragedies.
This episode serves as a valuable lesson for those seeking to prevent the
repetition of past mistakes, avoid senseless wars, and spare the country further
disasters born of political recklessness and ideological extremism.
Colonel Barakat began the discussion with a brief explanation of Lebanon—its
human values and geographic borders. He then offered a quick overview of
Muhammad Ali Pasha’s campaign against the Ottoman Empire and its consequences
for both Lebanon and Egypt. The Ottomans retaliated against the Lebanese by
inciting the 1860 sectarian strife between the Druze and the Maronites, and
against the Egyptians by planting the early seeds of extremism, which later
evolved into the Muslim Brotherhood.
He went on to summarize the impact of World War I on Lebanon, followed by the
repercussions of World War II and the Egyptian revolution, which nationalized
the Suez Canal and led to the creation of the United Arab Republic—a move aimed
at cutting off Beirut’s connection to the Gulf. This was followed by Egypt’s
withdrawal from Syria and its involvement in Yemen, culminating in the 1967
Six-Day War defeat.
Afterward, the decision was made to use Lebanon as a base for Palestinian
military operations, which led to the Cairo Agreement. This violated the
ceasefire, escalated retaliatory attacks, and ultimately triggered the war
between Lebanon and the Palestinian armed factions.
Link to a Video
Interview with Dr. Charles Chartouni From the “Al-Badil” YouTube Platform
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145671/
A comprehensive analysis of the Islamic Shara Syrian regime and why federalism
is the only viable solution for the Syrians.Dr. Chartouni confirms that the
Cowardice and hesitation of the Lebanese ruling officials is laying the
groundwork for a new and dangerous cycle of violence. He also comments on
Barak’s regional tour, concluding that the US will not serve as an alternative
to a sovereign Lebanese state—the responsibility to reclaim sovereignty lies
with Lebanon itself.
As for France, Dr. Chartouni stresses that it is neither qualified nor capable
of offering credible advice in the current context. July 26/2025
Tributes pour in
as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69
Arab News/July 26, 2025
DUBAI: Lebanese musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who was the son of iconic
singer Fayrouz, died on Saturday at the age of 69. Rahbani, who was born on Jan.
1, 1956, began composing for Fayrouz as a teenager and is the mind behind
legendary songs including “Kifak Inta” and “Bala Wala Shi.” His father, composer
Assi Rahbani, was a musical icon in his own right. Considered one of the most
influential voices in Lebanese music, Rahbani was also a fierce political
commentator and was known for his biting political satire and political theater.
Notable plays by Rahbani include “Nazl Al-Sourour,” “A Long American Film,” and
“Bema Inno.” Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam paid tribute to Rahbani in a
post on X, calling him “an exceptional creative artist and a free voice who
remained loyal to the values of justice and dignity. “Ziad embodied a deep
commitment to human and national causes,” Salam added.
“On stage, through music and words, he said what many did not dare to say, and
for decades, he touched the hopes and pains of the Lebanese people. With his
piercing honesty, he planted a new awareness in the conscience of national
culture.”
Renowned,
multi-talented Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani passes away
Associated Press/26 July/2025
Ziad Rahbani, a visionary Lebanese composer, playwright, pianist and political
provocateur, died on Saturday, at the age of 69, according to the state-run
National News Agency. The death was confirmed by a person close to Rahbani who
spoke on condition of anonymity. The cause of death was not immediately clear.
Born in 1956 in Antelias, near Beirut, Ziad was the eldest son of legendary
Lebanese singer Fayrouz and late composer Assi Rahbani, one half of the famed
Rahbani Brothers. From a young age, he showed signs of prodigious talent,
composing his first musical work at just 17 years old. Raised among artistic
royalty, his world was steeped in music, theater, and political consciousness —
a combination that would define his life's work. His mother, considered to be
the most famous and esteemed performer in the Arab world, performed some of his
compositions at her sellout concerts, blending Lebanese folklore with Western
syncopation and phrasing. President Joseph Aoun mourned Rahbani's death as a
national loss, describing him as "not just an artist, but a complete
intellectual and cultural phenomenon." In a statement, Aoun praised Rahbani as
"a living conscience, a rebellious voice against injustice, and an honest mirror
reflecting the suffering and marginalized."He highlighted how Rahbani's fusion
of classical, jazz and Oriental music "opened new windows for Lebanese cultural
expression" and elevated it to global levels. "Ziad was a natural extension of
the Rahbani family, which gave Lebanon much beauty and dignity," the president
added.
- Part of a dynasty but forging his own path -
While his parents helped construct a golden era of Lebanese musical theater
steeped in idealism and nostalgia, Rahbani charged onto the scene with
irreverent satire, unflinching political critique and jazz-inflected scores that
mirrored the chaos and contradictions of a Lebanon at war with itself. "I admire
the music of composers like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie," he
once said. "But my music is not Western, it's Lebanese, with a different way of
expression."Rahbani's music reflected the hybrid heritage of Lebanon, which
until the civil war erupted in 1975 was a cultural melting pot where East met
West. But it was also deeply rooted in the traumatic events of the sectarian
strife, the bloody street battles between rival militias and three years of
violent Israeli occupation after the 1982 invasion. His breakout play, Nazl el-Sourour
(Happiness Hotel), premiered in 1974 when he was only 17 and portrayed a society
disfigured by class inequality and repression. The tragicomic narrative follows
a group of workers who hijack a restaurant to demand their rights, only to be
dismissed by the political elite. With this bold debut, Rahbani revealed his
enduring theme: that Lebanese society was fractured not only by war but by
entrenched power. A leftist Greek Orthodox, Rahbani also wrote plays and
satirical radio shows centered on his violent environment that mock the
sectarian divisions of his country. Rahbani's subsequent plays solidified his
reputation as the voice of the disenchanted. In Bennesbeh Labokra Chou? (What
About Tomorrow?), he plays a jaded bar pianist in post-civil war Beirut who
drifts through a surreal landscape of broken dreams, corruption and absurdity.
The work features some of Rahbani's most poignant music and biting commentary,
including the famous line, "They say tomorrow will be better, but what about
today?"Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also mourned Rahbani's loss, describing him as
"an exceptional and creative artist—a free voice who remained true to the values
of justice and dignity."
- Rahbani brought East and West together in his music -
More than just a playwright, Rahbani was a composer of staggering range. He
infused traditional Arabic melodies with jazz, funk and classical influences,
creating a hybrid sound that became instantly recognizable. His live
performances were legendary, whether playing piano in smoky clubs in Hamra, one
of Beirut's major commercial districts that harbors a multifaceted identity, or
orchestrating large-scale productions. His collaborations with Fayrouz,
especially during the late 1970s and 1980s, ushered in a darker, more
politically charged phase in her career. Songs like Ouverture 83, Bala Wala Chi
(Without Anything), and Kifak Inta (How Are You) reflected Ziad's brooding
compositions and lyrical introspection. Rahbani came under fire from Arab
traditionalists for his pioneering efforts to bridge the gap between Arab and
Western culture with music. In recent years, Ziad appeared less in the public
eye, yet his influence never waned. Younger generations rediscovered his plays
online and sampled his music in protest movements. He continued to compose and
write, speaking often of his frustration with Lebanon's political stagnation and
decaying public life. Rahbani is survived by his mother, Fayrouz, now 90, his
sister Reema and brother Hali. Lebanese pop star Elissa joined the outpouring of
tributes to Ziad Rahbani, writing on X, "Ziad_Rahbani was not an ordinary artist
... With his loss today, Lebanon has lost a part of itself and a big piece of
its collective memory."
Remembering Ziad
Rahbani: The legend who rewrote Lebanon's soundtrack
LBCI/26 July/2025
"What About Tomorrow?" Ziad Rahbani once quipped—a phrase that, in its
simplicity, captured his cynical and humorous view of the world. Today, Rahbani,
the irreplaceable artist, is gone—quietly, without knowing what tomorrow holds.
Born 69 years ago, in 1956, in the town of Antelias, Ziad grew up in a household
steeped in music and art. His mother, Fairuz, is Lebanon's eternal voice, and
his father, Assi Rahbani, was one half of the pioneering Rahbani Brothers duo.
Music, for Ziad, was not just a birthright—it was destiny. From an early age,
Rahbani began playing instruments, and by his teenage years, he was already
composing. Ziad carved his own path, opting for raw realism over romanticism,
and crafted songs and plays that reflected the struggles of everyday people.
Deeply rooted in leftist politics, his work always sided with the poor and
marginalized.
At 14, he penned his first hit, "Dalli Hibbini Ya Lawziyeh." At 17, he wrote his
first song for Fairuz during a time when his father was severely ill. That
emotional track, "Saalouni El Nass," filled with sorrow and love, marked the
beginning of a long and bold artistic partnership between mother and son—one
that challenged the dreamy aesthetic of the 'Rahbani school' with a more
grounded and daring style. His musical portfolio includes modern classics such
as "Kifak Inta" and "Oudak Rannan," but his legacy extends beyond music.
In the same year he began composing, Ziad also ventured into theater. His debut
play, "Sahriyeh," launched a career in satirical political theater that made him
a defining voice during and after Lebanon's civil war. His plays—"Nazl Al-Sourour,"
"A Long American Movie," "What About Tomorrow?",* and "Chi Feshil"—became
mirrors of Lebanese society, performed in colloquial Arabic and laced with
biting black comedy. Rahbani spared no one in his critique—lambasting political
leaders, sectarian figures, and societal hypocrisies with fearless candor. He
refused to compromise with power or even to flatter his own audience, remaining
fiercely independent to his last breath. Musically, he revolutionized the
Lebanese sound by blending jazz, pop, classical, and oriental music into a new,
unorthodox form. Albums like "To Whom It May Concern" and "Bima Inno" cemented
his role as a pioneer of Lebanon's alternative music scene. Even in his rare
media appearances in recent years, Ziad's wit and humor left their mark—offering
laughter even in the gravest of discussions. Though his public presence had
diminished, he remained a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and creativity for an
entire generation.
Ziad Rahbani may have passed after a battle with illness, but his voice
endures—in music, in theater, and the consciousness of a nation; a defiant note
that will never fade.
Hezbollah
Commander and Two Others Killed in Israeli Strikes
This is Beirut/26 July/2025
A Hezbollah commander and two others were killed on Saturday in two separate
Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon. Israeli drones struck late in the
afternoon a house with two missiles in the town of Debaal, killing Ali Gharib
and Mohammad Abboud. The strike occurred in the town square, prompting immediate
response from emergency services.
Earlier the same day, another drone strike hit a car on the Tuayri–Srifa road,
also in the Tyre district. The Israeli military confirmed the attack and
identified the target as Ali Abdel Qader Ismail, a senior Hezbollah commander.
In a statement on X, the Israeli Army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said:
“A fighter jet targeted and eliminated Ali Abdel Qader Ismail, a senior
commander in the Bint Jbeil sector. He was involved in rebuilding Hezbollah’s
military infrastructure in the area, violating the understandings between Israel
and Lebanon.”
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also reported that the target in Srifa was
a Hezbollah operative, reinforcing the military's claims. Israeli surveillance
drones, particularly Hermes 900 models, were reported flying at various
altitudes over several southern towns including Arabsalim, Habboush, Ansar and
Qasmiyeh, signaling ongoing military monitoring across southern Lebanon.
One Killed in Israeli Drone Strike on Vehicle in Srifa
This is Beirut/26 July/2025
An Israeli drone strike killed Ali Abdel Kader Ismail after targeting a vehicle
on the Tuwairi-Srifa road in Lebanon’s Tyre District. The Public Health
Emergency Operations Center confirmed the fatality caused by the Israeli drone
attack. Alongside the strike, several Israeli drones were reported flying across
southern Lebanese towns. A Hermes 900 drone flew at medium altitude over
Arabsalim, Habboush, and Al-Wadi Al-Akhdar. Other drones operated at low and
very low altitudes over Ansar, Zrariyeh, Aabba, Jibshit, Al-Kharayeb, and Breqaa.
Drone flights also extended throughout the Tyre District, reaching both banks of
the Litani River near Qasmiyeh.
Nassar Announces Completion of Judicial Independence Draft Law
This is Beirut/26 July/2025
Minister of Justice Adel Nassar announced on Friday the completion of the
long-awaited draft law on judicial organization and independence, a key
milestone in Lebanon’s stalled legal reform process. “After many years of
waiting, we are pleased to announce to the Lebanese people the completion of the
Administration and Justice Committee’s work on the draft judicial organization
law,” Nassar said in a statement. The draft, which aims to bolster the
independence of Lebanon’s judiciary, has been a central demand of reform
advocates and legal professionals for years. Nassar voiced hope that the
legislation would soon be placed on the agenda of the Parliament’s General
Assembly for approval. He also extended gratitude to all those who collaborated
with the ministry in preparing the draft, emphasizing that it represents a
long-standing and pressing demand of both the public and the judicial community.
Hajjar Stresses Coordinated Security Efforts
This is Beirut/26 July/2025
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar on Friday underscored the critical role of
regional governors in working alongside Lebanon’s security agencies and
international organizations to facilitate the safe and organized return of
displaced persons. During a meeting with governors to address pressing security
and administrative concerns, Hajjar emphasized the need for robust coordination
between governorates, municipalities, and security bodies. He called for the
development of integrated frameworks to enhance institutional preparedness and
tackle region-specific security challenges. The session also focused on
bolstering the effectiveness of municipal work. Hajjar highlighted the
importance of training municipal employees and standardizing curricula to ensure
consistent service delivery across the country. Efforts to improve traffic
safety were also discussed, particularly in cooperation with the National
Traffic Safety Committee. Measures aimed at reducing road accidents and
improving transportation conditions in Lebanon’s regions are expected to be
implemented. Separately, Hajjar met with MP Salim Sayegh to discuss the recent
wave of violent crimes in Kesrouan al-Fitouh and Jbeil, including the
particularly disturbing incident in Maameltein. Sayegh warned of the
deteriorating security climate and urged the state to take firm and swift
action. “It has become necessary to sound the alarm and prioritize decisive
security measures,” Sayegh said after the meeting. He called on the state to
reinforce its authority and take radical steps to uphold civil peace. According
to Sayegh, Minister Hajjar pledged a “comprehensive, precise, and concrete”
approach to restoring public confidence and security. The enforcement of traffic
laws also featured prominently in their discussion, with both parties agreeing
on the need to curb repeated violations that compromise public safety. “I
assured the Interior Minister of our full support at all levels and placed all
necessary resources at his disposal to ensure citizens’ safety and their right
to live with dignity and without fear,” Sayegh concluded.
Berri meets PM Salam, holds series of meetings on political
and security developments
LBCI/26 July/2025
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the second
presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh, where discussions covered the latest
political, field, and legislative developments. Berri also reviewed the evolving
situation in Lebanon during a meeting with Presidential Advisor Brigadier
General André Rahal.In a separate meeting, the Speaker received Grand Mufti
Sheikh Ahmad Taleb, accompanied by Banque du Liban (BDL) Director of Financial
Operations Ali Taleb. Berri also met with the South Regional Commander in the
Internal Security Forces (ISF), Brigadier General Ahmad Abou Daher.
Year-end deadline
for mass returns: Lebanon moves to close chapter on Syrian refugees
LBCI/26 July/2025
Since May 1, 2025, more than 440,000 Syrian nationals have left Lebanon, marking
a significant shift in the country's handling of the longstanding refugee
crisis. While the figure is striking, officials say the real story lies in what
it represents: a turning point in Lebanon's political stance and operational
policy toward the presence of Syrian refugees.In recent months, the context
surrounding the refugee issue has undergone significant changes. With the Syrian
regime falling and a growing international push to ease sanctions, the original
justifications for asylum—political persecution and security concerns—have
largely dissipated.
The United Nations has also scaled back its assistance programs, leaving many
Syrians without international aid. Lebanon now argues the refugee situation has
transitioned into an economic migration crisis, rather than a humanitarian one.
On July 1, a ministerial committee led by Minister Tarek Mitri launched
Lebanon's first official plan for the organized return of Syrian refugees. Over
17,000 individuals have registered to repatriate so far. The shift is backed by
a unified political stance—uncharacteristically free of partisan gridlock—and
endorsed by the Lebanese presidency, government, and security institutions. A
significant factor in operationalizing the returns is the Lebanese General
Security's new initiative. It includes sweeping legal exemptions for
undocumented Syrians who voluntarily leave by the end of September 2025, with
the possibility of extending that deadline through the end of the year. These
individuals will not face fines or re-entry bans, but those who remain in the
country illegally could be subject to arrest. The plan
also rejects a previous UNHCR proposal called "Go and See," which would have
allowed refugees to test life in Syria and return to Lebanon if conditions
proved challenging. General Security chief Major General Hassan Choucair
dismissed that approach, pointing out that refugees currently in Lebanon enjoy
international aid—financial support, healthcare, and education—which would
naturally make them reluctant to leave or unlikely to remain in Syria once they
visit. LBCI has learned that some Syrians are already living in Syria but return
to Lebanon at the start of each month to collect aid, then return home. To curb
such practices, the Lebanese government has developed its own refugee database
in cooperation with the UNHCR, identifying nearly two million Syrians currently
in the country, including both registered and unregistered individuals. Once a
refugee leaves Lebanon, their record will be removed from the system. If they
return, they will no longer be eligible for international assistance. In another
major shift, even Europe now supports the return of Syrian refugees. According
to LBCI sources, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, has held
meetings with Lebanese General Security over a surge in smuggling boats ferrying
Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Europe across the Mediterranean. Now, Lebanese
authorities say they are determined to close the refugee file once and for all.
The final deadline for voluntary returns has been set for December 31, 2025.
However, the situation is complicated by a lack of detention space, which limits
the ability of authorities to arrest undocumented Syrians who refuse to leave.
Despite continued instability in certain parts of Syria and new waves of
refugees attempting to cross into Lebanon, the state's position appears firm.
The political divide over the refugee issue, which has long been a source of
paralysis, has ended. Syrian refugees in Lebanon are now either welcomed guests
preparing to leave or violators accountable for their decision to stay.
US criticizes French release of jailed Lebanese militant
AFP/26 July/2025
The United States on Saturday criticized the release from a French prison of
pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who spent more than
40 years behind bars for the killings of two diplomats, one of them American.
Abdallah was detained in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for his
involvement in the murders of US military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli
diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris. Earlier this month, a French appeals court
ordered Abdallah’s release on the condition that he leave French territory and
never return. He left a prison in southwest France on Friday and later arrived
in his hometown in Lebanon. “The United States opposes the French government’s
release and expulsion to Lebanon of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah,”
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement on social media.
“His release threatens the safety of US diplomats abroad and is a grave
injustice to the victims and the families of those killed. The United States
will continue to support the pursuit of justice in this matter.”While Abdallah
had been eligible for release since 1999, his previous requests were denied as
the United States -- a civil party to the case -- had consistently opposing his
leaving prison. Abdallah, who is Lebanese of Maronite Christian heritage, has
always insisted he is not a “criminal” but a “fighter” for the rights of
Palestinians, whom he said were targeted, along with Lebanon, by the United
States and Israel.
Tripoli in
Mourning: Twin Toddlers Die in Apartment Fire
This is Beirut/26 July/2025
The northern Lebanese city of Tripoli awoke on Saturday morning to a
heartbreaking tragedy. Two twin toddlers, just two and a half years old, lost
their lives in a fire that broke out in a residential apartment located between
the Rifaieh and Al Qalaa neighborhoods. According to initial reports, the blaze
erupted during the night in a residential building. Despite the quick
intervention of Civil Defense teams, the two children were trapped inside the
burning apartment, and no rescue was possible in time. Their bodies were
transported to the Qobbeh Governmental Hospital by the Emergency and Relief
Unit, as neighbors and local residents looked on in sorrow and shock. The cause
of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and an investigation has been launched
to determine the origin of the incident. This tragedy renews calls for stronger
safety measures in Tripoli’s older residential buildings, many of which lack
basic fire prevention and detection equipment.
Reluctant
Settlements with No Preconditions
Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/26 July/2025
Lebanon is in a position few would envy in the current round of settlements.
This situation does not stem from a government crisis, but from the dominance of
a single party. Had the state itself been responsible for the decisions that
brought us here, the outcome—though difficult—might have been more acceptable.
Unfortunately, Lebanon is now paying the price for burdens it was never equipped
to bear. Thomas Barrack’s latest visit to Beirut delivered an unexpected
message: a sharp escalation in demands. As with his two previous trips, the
stakes have once more been raised. Israel is pressing for definitive outcomes,
determined to eliminate all threats it considers unacceptable. Hezbollah’s
recent inflammatory rhetoric, despite not formally participating in the talks,
has only deepened the crisis. By dragging the state into confrontation without
regard for its fragile position, the party has contributed to tougher Israeli
conditions.
Where the negotiations once focused on areas north and south of the Litani
River, they now center on light weapons and hand grenades, with the Lebanese
government expected to dismantle these with absolute resolve. This is more than
just a shift in tone, it signals a fundamental redefinition of the negotiation
itself, with mounting pressure and little room left for diplomacy. However,
Lebanon lacks the capacity to respond. Weakened by internal paralysis, recent
military defeat and growing isolation, it cannot assert any counter-demands. The
United States remains present, but only as a spectator. It offers no guarantees,
no promise of Israeli withdrawal, no assurance against future aggression and no
clear pathway to resolving the border issue. These negotiations are structured
to meet Israel’s objective, while Lebanon is left empty-handed. To make matters
worse, rejecting these terms exposes Lebanon to sanctions and escalating
instability. Israel faces no such consequences. Yet, the core responsibility
does not lie with the United States, nor with Barrack, nor even with the
Lebanese government or Israel. It lies with Hezbollah. The party’s hardened
stance in recent weeks—marked by threats, ultimatums and refusal to consider
disarmament—has further raised Israeli demands and stripped Lebanon of whatever
leverage it once held. What remains on the table today may vanish tomorrow. What
feels reluctantly acceptable now could soon become a lost opportunity. If
Hezbollah continues to raise the stakes, Lebanon may soon have nothing left to
negotiate.
The
Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on July 26-27/2025
Jordan’s King Abdullah, Trump discuss Gaza and Syria in phone call
Arab News/July 26, 2025
AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah II spoke on the phone on Saturday with US
President Donald Trump to discuss regional developments, with a particular focus
on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the situation in Syria, the Jordan News
Agency reported. According to a statement from the Royal Court, the king
stressed the urgent need to end the war on Gaza and ensure the uninterrupted
delivery of humanitarian aid across the Gaza Strip to ease what he described as
a “tragic and alarming” humanitarian crisis. King Abdullah also commended US
efforts, and President Trump personally, for working to de-escalate tensions
across the region. He reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to working closely with the
US and other international partners to achieve a just and lasting peace that
ensures the security and stability of the entire region. On Syria, the king
highlighted the effectiveness of Jordanian-US coordination in helping to
de-escalate the situation there, underlining the importance of safeguarding
Syria’s stability and territorial integrity. The leaders also discussed ways to
deepen the strategic partnership between Jordan and the US and explore
opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation.
Nine killed in courthouse attack in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, Iranian
media report
Reuters/July 26, 2025
Jaish Al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on its
Telegram account
Sistan-Baluchestan is home to Iran’s Sunni Muslim Baluch minority, who have long
complained of economic marginalization and political exclusion
At least nine people were killed in an armed attack by the Sunni Jaish Al-Adl
Baluch group on a courthouse in Iran’s restive Sistan-Baluchistan province on
Saturday, including three of the assailants, state media reported. Another 22
were injured, according to the report. Jaish Al-Adl confirmed the deaths of its
three members in the clashes with security forces in Zahedan, the capital of the
far southeastern province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sistan-Baluchistan
is home to Iran’s Sunni Muslim Baluch minority, who have long complained of
economic marginalization and political exclusion. A toddler and a 60-year-old
woman were among those killed, as well as three soldiers and law enforcement
personnel assigned to the courthouse, the head of the province’s judiciary told
IRNA. He did not identify the sixth dead person. He said the attackers wore
explosive vests and carried grenades. It was not clear if they had detonated
them. Jaish Al-Adl, which claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement
on its Telegram account, said it had killed at least 30 members of the judiciary
and security forces. It said it targeted judges and court personnel, whom it
accused of issuing death sentences and house demolition orders to Baluch
citizens. “We warn all judges and employees of the judiciary that Baluchistan
will no longer be a safe place for them and death will follow them like
terrifying shadows until retribution,” the group said in its statement. It
blamed security forces for the deaths of civilians, saying they had fired
indiscriminately. The Baluch human rights group HAALVSH, quoting eyewitnesses,
said several judiciary staff members and security personnel were killed or
wounded when the assailants stormed the judges’ chambers. Sistan-Baluchistan is
frequently hit by clashes between security forces and armed groups, including
Sunni militants and separatists who say they are fighting for greater rights and
autonomy. Tehran accuses some of them of ties to foreign powers and involvement
in cross-border smuggling and insurgency.
Israeli military says ‘projectile’ fired at Israel from Gaza Strip
AFP/July 26, 2025
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military said a “projectile” was fired from the Gaza
Strip toward Israel on Saturday. “A projectile was identified crossing the Gaza
Strip from the south and most likely falling in an open area,” the military said
in a statement, adding that there were no injuries reported.
Hamas rejects Trump remarks on Gaza talks breakdown
AFP/26 July/2025
Hamas officials expressed surprise on Saturday at US President Donald Trump’s
accusation that the group “didn’t really want” a ceasefire and hostage release
deal for Gaza. Trump made the allegation of Friday a day after Israel and the
United States quit indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar that had lasted
nearly three weeks. “Trump’s remarks are particularly surprising, especially as
they come at a time when progress had been made on some of the negotiation
files,” Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP. “So far, we have not been
informed of any issues regarding the files under discussion in the indirect
ceasefire negotiations,” he added.Al-Nunu, who is close to Hamas’s most senior
political officials, said he was “surprised” that Israel and the United States
had left the talks. Announcing the recall of US mediators on Thursday, Trump’s
special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not “acting in good faith.”
Though not part of the Hamas negotiating team, Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq
insisted the group had shown “flexibility” in the talks. “The American
statements deliberately ignore the real obstructionist to all agreements,
Netanyahu’s government, which continues to put obstacles, deceive and evade
commitments,” he said. Both Hamas officials called on the United States to be
more even-handed in its role as mediator in the quest for a ceasefire after more
than 21 months of fighting. “We call for an end to the US bias in favor of
Netanyahu, who is obstructing any agreement,” al-Nunu said.
Israeli gunfire and strikes kill at least 42 in Gaza as many of the dead sought
aid
AP/July 26, 2025
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Israeli airstrikes and gunshots killed at least 42
people in Gaza overnight and into Saturday, according to Palestinian health
officials and the local ambulance service, as starvation deaths continued and
ceasefire talks appear to have stalled.
Gunfire killed at least a dozen people waiting for aid trucks close to the Zikim
crossing with Israel in the north, said staff at Shifa hospital, where bodies
were taken. Israel’s military said it fired warning shots to distance a crowd
“in response to an immediate threat” and it was not aware of any casualties.
A witness, Sherif Abu Aisha, said people started running when they saw a light
that they thought was from aid trucks, but as they got close, they realized it
was Israel’s tanks. That’s when the army started firing, he told The Associated
Press. He said his uncle was among those killed.
“We went because there is no food ... and nothing was distributed,” he said.
Elsewhere, those killed in strikes included four people in an apartment building
in Gaza City, hospital staff and the ambulance service said. Another Israeli
strike killed at least eight people, including four children, in the crowded
tent camp of Muwasi in the city of Khan Younis in the south, according to the
Nasser hospital, which received the bodies. Also in Khan Younis, Israeli forces
opened fire and killed at least nine people trying to get aid entering Gaza
through the Morag corridor, according to the hospital’s morgue records. There
was no immediate comment from Israel’s military.
Stalled ceasefire talks
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas were at a standstill after the US and
Israel recalled negotiating teams on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said Friday his government was considering “alternative options” to
ceasefire talks. A Hamas official, however, said negotiations were expected to
resume next week and described the recall of the Israeli and US delegations as a
pressure tactic. Egypt and Qatar, which mediate alongside the United States,
called the pause temporary and said talks would resume. They did not say when.
“Our loved ones do not have time for another round of negotiations, and they
will not survive another partial deal,” said Zahiro Shahar Mor, nephew of
hostage Avraham Munder, one of 50 still in Gaza from Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7,
2023, that sparked the war. Mor spoke at a weekly rally in Tel Aviv.
Children starving to death
The United Nations and experts say Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine.
And now children with no preexisting conditions have begun to starve to death.
“We only want enough food to end our hunger,” said Wael Shaaban at a charity
kitchen in Gaza City as he tried to feed his family of six. While Israel’s army
says it’s allowing aid into the enclave with no limit on the trucks that can
enter, the UN says it is hampered by military restrictions on its movements and
incidents of criminal looting. The Hamas-run police had provided security for
safe aid delivery, but it has been unable to operate after being targeted by
airstrikes. Israel on Saturday said over 250 trucks carrying aid from the UN and
other organizations entered Gaza this week. About 600 trucks entered per day
during the latest ceasefire that Israel ended in March. The Zikim shootings came
days after at least 80 Palestinians were killed trying to reach aid entering
through the crossing, one of the deadliest days for aid-seekers in the war.
Israel faces growing international pressure. More than two dozen Western-aligned
countries and over 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to
the war, harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a new aid delivery model it
has rolled out. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces
since May while trying to get food, mostly near the new aid sites run by an
American contractor, the UN human rights office says. The charities and rights
groups said even their own staff were struggling to get enough food. “Stand for
Gaza, for silence is a crime, and indifference is a betrayal of humanity,” said
Father Issa Thaljieh, a Greek Orthodox priest at the Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem, as religious figures and the mayor gathered to call for prayers to
end the war.
Turning to airdrops, with a warning
For the first time in months, Israel said it is allowing airdrops, requested by
neighboring Jordan. A Jordanian official said the airdrops mainly will be food
and milk formula. Britain plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop
aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance, Prime Minister Keir
Starmer’s office said Saturday. The office did not give details. But the head of
the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, warned
on social media that airdrops are “expensive, inefficient and can even kill
starving civilians” and won’t reverse the increasing starvation or prevent aid
diversion. More than 59,700 Palestinians have been killed during the war,
according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Its count doesn’t distinguish between
militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead
are women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The UN
and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data
on casualties.
Lebanese
President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament
Asharq Al Awsat/July 26/2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged on Friday that negotiations with
Hezbollah over its weapons are ongoing, though progressing slowly. Speaking amid
heightened tensions along the southern border with Israel, Aoun emphasized that
dialogue is being conducted directly with Hezbollah, not through a formal
security committee, and expressed cautious optimism over a gradual breakthrough.
“There is some responsiveness to the ideas we’re discussing, even if things are
moving at a slow pace,” said Aoun, stressing that neither party desires war,
which would carry severe consequences for all sides. His remarks come as
Hezbollah issued its first public response to the recent visit by US envoy Tom
Barrack, rejecting the American proposal focused on centralizing arms under the
Lebanese state. Hezbollah insisted it is only concerned with implementing UN
Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory and
a cessation of hostilities.Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s demand for Israel to adhere
to the ceasefire agreement and withdraw from the remaining five occupied hills
in the south, noting that full army deployment remains hindered in areas still
under Israeli control.
During his visit to Beirut this week, Barrack pushed for a “monopoly of arms” by
the Lebanese state, declaring that the US will only support Lebanon if its
government commits to ensuring that only official forces carry weapons. In a
statement, he reinforced that Hezbollah, in its entirety, is viewed by
Washington as a foreign terrorist organization, with no distinction between its
political and military wings. He added that the responsibility now lies with
Lebanon’s political leadership and army to seize this opportunity and build a
future free of Hezbollah’s grip.
Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamadeh dismissed the American initiative, affirming that the
group is aligned with the stance of parliament and ally Speaker Nabih Berri and
will only engage within the framework of Resolution 1701. He acknowledged a
general agreement on the principle of state monopoly over arms, but argued that
this must be accompanied by a comprehensive national defense strategy,
especially in light of ongoing Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes
have intensified, targeting South Lebanon throughout the week. On Friday, an
Israeli drone strike killed a Hezbollah member in Bint Jbeil, while other raids
reportedly hit weapons depots and rocket launch sites. Tensions escalated
further when an Israeli soldier shot a Lebanese civilian near the border. In
response to repeated attacks, residents of the border town Aita al-Shaab issued
a strongly worded statement condemning the government’s inaction and warning
that they may resort to self-defense. “Security is not a luxury; it is our
right,” the statement read.
The latest child to starve to death in Gaza weighed less than when she was born
AP/July 26, 2025
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: A mother pressed a final kiss to what remained of her
5-month-old daughter and wept. Esraa Abu Halib’s baby now weighed less than when
she was born. On a sunny street in shattered Gaza, the bundle containing Zainab
Abu Halib represented the latest death from starvation after 21 months of war
and Israeli restrictions on aid. The baby was brought to the pediatric
department of Nasser Hospital on Friday. She was already dead. A worker at the
morgue carefully removed her Mickey Mouse-printed shirt, pulling it over her
sunken, open eyes. He pulled up the hems of her pants to show her knobby knees.
His thumb was wider than her ankle. He could count the bones of her chest. The
girl had weighed over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) when she was born, her mother
said. When she died, she weighed less than 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds). A doctor
said it was a case of “severe, severe starvation.”She was wrapped in a white
sheet for burial and placed on the sandy ground for prayers. The bundle was
barely wider than the imam’s stance. He raised his open hands and invoked Allah
once more.
She needed special formula
Zainab was one of 85 children to die of malnutrition-related causes in Gaza in
the past three weeks, according to the latest toll released by the territory’s
Health Ministry on Saturday. Another 42 adults died of malnutrition-related
causes in the same period, it said. “She needed a special baby formula which did
not exist in Gaza,” Zainab’s father, Ahmed Abu Halib, told The Associated Press
as he prepared for her funeral prayers in the hospital’s courtyard in the
southern city of Khan Younis. Dr. Ahmed Al-Farah, head of the pediatric
department, said the girl had needed a special type of formula that helps with
babies allergic to cow’s milk. He said she hadn’t suffered from any diseases,
but the lack of the formula led to chronic diarrhea and vomiting. She wasn’t
able to swallow as her weakened immune system led to a bacterial infection and
sepsis, and quickly lost more weight.
’Many will follow’
The child’s family, like many of Gaza’s Palestinians, lives in a tent,
displaced. Her mother, who also has suffered from malnutrition, said she
breastfed the girl for only six weeks before trying to feed her formula. “With
my daughter’s death, many will follow,” she said. “Their names are on a list
that no one looks at. They are just names and numbers. We are just numbers. Our
children, whom we carried for nine months and then gave birth to, have become
just numbers.” Her loose robe hid her own weight loss. The arrival of children
suffering from malnutrition has surged in recent weeks, Al-Farah said. His
department, with a capacity of eight beds, has been treating about 60 cases of
acute malnutrition. They have placed additional mattresses on the ground.
Another malnutrition clinic, affiliated with the hospital, receives an average
of 40 cases weekly, he said. “Unless the crossings are opened and food and baby
formula are allowed in for this vulnerable segment of Palestinian society, we
will witness unprecedented numbers of deaths,” he warned. Doctors and aid
workers in Gaza blame Israel’s restrictions on the entry of aid and medical
supplies. Food security experts warn of famine in the territory of over 2
million people.
‘Shortage of everything’
After ending the latest ceasefire in March, Israel cut off the entry of food,
medicine, fuel and other supplies completely to Gaza for 2 ½ months, saying it
aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Under international pressure,
Israel slightly eased the blockade in May. Since then, it has allowed in around
4,500 trucks for the UN and other aid groups to distribute, including 2,500 tons
of baby food and high-calorie special food for children, Israel’s Foreign
Ministry said last week. Israel says baby formula has been included, plus
formula for special needs. The average of 69 trucks a day, however, is far below
the 500 to 600 trucks a day the UN says are needed for Gaza. The UN says it has
been unable to distribute much of the aid because hungry crowds and gangs take
most of it from its arriving trucks. Separately, Israel has backed the
US-registered Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which in May opened four centers
distributing boxes of food supplies. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been
killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food, mostly near those
new aid sites, the UN human rights office says. Much of Gaza’s population now
relies on aid.
“There was a shortage of everything,” the mother of Zainab said as she grieved.
“How can a girl like her recover?”
UK ‘taking forward’ Gaza food airdrop plan: PM Starmer’s
office
AFP/26 July/2025
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday spoke to his French and German
counterparts and outlined UK plans to get aid to people in Gaza and evacuate
sick and injured children, his office said. “The prime minister set out how the
UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to
airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance,” a statement
said. In a phone conversation, Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and the
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza
“which they agreed is appalling.”“They all agreed it would be vital to ensure
robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting
peace,” according to a readout released by Downing Street. “They discussed their
intention to work closely together on a plan.... which would pave the way to a
long-term solution and security in the region. They agreed that once this plan
was worked up, they would seek to bring in other key partners, including in the
region, to advance it,” it added. The discussion comes a day after UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the international community for
turning a blind eye to widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip, calling it a
“moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.”Aid groups have warned of
surging cases of starvation, particularly among children, in war-ravaged Gaza,
which Israel placed under an aid blockade in March amid its ongoing war with
Hamas. That blockade was partially eased two months later. The trickle of aid
since then has been controlled by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian
Foundation.
Freedom Flotilla aid boat approaching Gaza shores, group says
AFP/26 July/2025
The activist group Freedom Flotilla announced Saturday that its latest aid boat
dispatched to Gaza was approaching the territory and planned to land there the
following morning in defiance of an Israeli blockade. The vessel, named the
Handala after a popular Palestinian cartoon character, was just 105 nautical
miles (194 kilometers) from its destination, organizers said -- closer to Gaza
than its predecessor the Madleen was when it was intercepted in June.The Israeli
navy said it would likewise block the new vessel from reaching the war-torn
Palestinian territory. “The [Israeli army] enforces the legal maritime security
blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which
it will act upon in accordance with directives of the political echelon,” an
army spokesperson told AFP on Saturday. Carrying 19 activists and two
journalists from various countries, the Handala first set sail from Sicily on
July 13 in a bid to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to its
population. The territory is facing severe shortages of food and other
essentials, with the United Nations and NGOs warning of an imminent famine. The
Handala’s crew said in a post on X that they would go on a hunger strike if the
Israeli army intercepted the boat and detained its passengers. The last boat
sent by Freedom Flotilla, the Madleen, was intercepted by the Israeli army in
international waters on June 9 and towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
It carried 12 campaigners on board, including prominent Swedish climate activist
Greta Thunberg.
At least 25 people killed by Israeli gunshots and strikes in Gaza, some while
seeking aid
The Associated Press/26 July/2025
At least 25 people were killed by Israeli airstrikes and gunshots overnight,
according to health officials and the ambulance service on Saturday, as
cease-fire talks appear to have stalled and Palestinians in Gaza face famine.
The majority of victims were killed by gunfire as they waited for aid trucks
close to the Zikim crossing with Israel, said staff at Shifa hospital where the
bodies were brought. Israel’s army didn’t respond to request for comments about
the latest shootings. Those killed in strikes include four people in an
apartment building in Gaza City, among others, hospital staff and the ambulance
service said. The strikes come as cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas have
hit a standstill after the US and Israel recalled their negotiating teams on
Thursday, throwing the future of the talks into further uncertainty. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday his government was considering
alternative options to cease-fire talks with Hamas. His comments came as a Hamas
official said negotiations were expected to resume next week and portrayed the
recall of the Israeli and American delegations as a pressure tactic. Egypt and
Qatar, which are mediating the talks alongside the United States, said the pause
was only temporary and that talks would resume, though they did not say when.
For desperate Palestinians, a cease-fire can’t come soon enough. The United
Nations and experts say that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine with
reports of increasing numbers of people dying from causes related to
malnutrition. While Israel’s army says it’s allowing aid into the enclave with
no limit on the number of trucks that can enter, the UN says it is hampered by
Israeli military restrictions on its movements and incidents of criminal
looting. The Zikim crossing shootings come days after at least 79 Palestinians
were killed trying to reach aid entering through the same crossing. Israel’s
military said at the time its soldiers shot at a gathering of thousands of
Palestinians who posed a threat and that it was aware of some casualties. Israel
is facing increased international pressure to alleviate the catastrophic
humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More then two dozen Western-aligned countries and
more than 100 charity and human rights groups have called for an end to the war,
harshly criticizing Israel’s blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled
out. The charities and rights groups said even their own staff were struggling
to get enough food. For the first time in months, Israel said it is allowing
airdrops requested by Jordan. A Jordanian official said the airdrops will mainly
be food and milk formula. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in a
newspaper article on Saturday that the UK was working urgently with Jordan to
get British aid into Gaza. Aid group the World Central Kitchen said on Friday
that it was resuming limited cooking operations in Deir al-Balah after being
forced to halt due to a lack of food supplies. It said it’s trying to serve
60,000 meals daily through its field kitchen and partner community kitchens,
less than half of what it’s cooked over the previous month.
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Greece’s capital
Athens and residents are told to evacuate
AP/July 26, 2025
ATHENS: A wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital of
Athens on Saturday and some residents were ordered to evacuate, the country’s
Fire Service reported.
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of
Athens received 3 SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas, Fire Service spokesman
Vassilis Vathrakoyannis told reporters. Greek media have shown houses on fire.
The spokesman said “there have been reports of damages. We will take stock when
the fires have been put out.”“The real difficulties are ahead of us,”
Vathrakoyannis said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes
from the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. On site, 145 firefighters
and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting
to put out the fire, whose origin is unknown. Four ambulances are treating at
least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems.
Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees
Fahrenheit), dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames. Under such
conditions wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous. These conditions
are expected to prevail over the coming days,” Vathrakoyannis said. The fire
service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest on
Greece’s two largest islands — Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens — and
also on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete. At least 335 firefighters, 19
planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In
total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the
spokesman said. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common
occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
Pope Leo discusses war in Ukraine with Russian Orthodox
Church official
Reuters/July 26, 2025
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo discussed the war in Ukraine on Saturday with
Metropolitan Anthony, a senior cleric in the Russian Orthodox Church, in a
possible effort to ease ties between the churches strained by Russia’s invasion.
Leo saw Anthony, chairman of the department of external church relations, and
five other high-profile clerics during an audience in the morning, the Vatican
said. “During the conversation, numerous issues were raised concerning the state
of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, as well as the ongoing conflicts in the world,
including in Ukraine and the Middle East,” the Russian Orthodox Church said in a
statement. Since assuming the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed for
peace in global conflicts and this month told visiting Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky that the Vatican was willing to host Russia-Ukraine peace
talks. Russian officials, however, have said they do not view the Vatican as a
serious venue for talks because it is surrounded by NATO member Italy which has
supported Ukraine. The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has
been an enthusiastic backer of the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian church
statement said that Kirill’s congratulations were conveyed to Leo for his
election as pope. “Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to his holiness
patriarch Kirill for his good wishes and noted the importance of developing
relations with the Russian Orthodox Church,” it added.
Ukraine says its drones hit warfare plant in Russia
Published: 26 July/2025
Ukrainian drones hit a radio and electronic warfare equipment plant in Russia’s
Stavropol region in an overnight attack on Saturday, an official from the SBU
security service told Reuters. The official said two facilities at the Signal
plant in the city of Stavropol, about 540 km (335 miles) from the Ukrainian
border, were damaged in the attacks. He shared several short videos showing an
explosion and a large column of dark smoke rising into the sky. He said the
plant was one of Russia’s leading producers of electronic warfare equipment,
including radar, radio navigation equipment, and remote control radio equipment.
“This night, long-range SBU drones struck the production facilities of the
Stavropol Radio Plant ‘Signal’,” said the SBU official. “Each such attack stops
production processes and reduces the enemy’s military potential. This work will
continue.”Reuters was unable to verify the details of the attack. Russia’s
defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Since
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both sides have launched multiple
drone attacks on each other. Ukraine, which is fighting a much larger Russian
army, has developed a drone industry from scratch and is now focusing on
increasing its capacity to produce more long-range drones.
Trump says he is seeking a ceasefire between Thailand, Cambodia
Reuters/26 July/2025
US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was talking with the leaders of
Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at
least 33 people dead. “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to
stopping the War with Thailand,” Trump, who is on a visit to Scotland, said in a
post on his Truth Social network. “I have just spoken to the Acting Prime
Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation,” he said soon after
in a new post. “Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire,
and PEACE,” he added. “I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime
Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and
Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!” Tensions flared over
long-contested ancient temple sites before fighting spread along the countries’
rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and
agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Clashes, now in their third
day, broke out Saturday in the countries’ coastal regions where they meet on the
Gulf of Thailand, around 250 kilometers (160 miles) southwest of the main
frontlines. “I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being
killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan
and India, which was brought to a successful halt,” Trump said. Trump also
indicated he would not move forward on trade deals with either nation until
fighting has stopped.
Palestinians hold
mixed views as France prepares to recognize state
AFP/26 July/2025
Palestinians expressed mixed opinions Friday after French President Emmanuel
Macron said he’d recognize a Palestinian state, with enthusiasm mitigated by the
world’s failure to stem suffering in Gaza. “We hope it will be implemented, and
we hope that most or all countries around the world will follow France’s lead in
recognizing the Palestinian people’s right to an independent state,” said Nabil
Abdel Razek, a resident of Ramallah, home to the Palestinian Authority. Under
the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PA was intended to be a building bloc toward the
establishment of a state. At a newsagent in the central square of the West Bank
city, several front-page headlines mentioned President Emmanuel Macron’s late
Thursday evening announcement. “All of these decisions not only affirm the
rights of the Palestinian people, but also contribute to changing the violent
reality in the region and lead to greater stability,” said Ahmed Ghoneim, a
political activist, as he headed off to a demonstration in solidarity with Gaza.
Ghoneim said he also hopes France’s move will inspire other European countries,
given that at least 142 of the 193 UN member states recognize a Palestinian
state, according to an AFP tally.
But analysts are more cautious. “The question for Palestinians is what will
France do NOW about Israel starving them in Gaza,” Nour Odeh, a political
commentator, wrote on X.Others also agreed the main issue for Palestinians is
Gaza. “What France should have recognized is the genocide and taken measures to
end it and end the occupation,” said Ines Abdel Razek, co-director of the
Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD). In an interview with AFP, she
said France should cut relations with Israel and impose a trade embargo. “An
example of a brave gesture is the Colombian president asking his army to block
boats transporting energy and arms to Israel,” she said. While saying France’s
promise is just “symbolic,” Samer Sinijlawi, another political activist, noted
Macron’s call for elections in the Palestinian territories and said this “brings
us hope.”
Syria, Israel
hold US-mediated talks in Paris amid escalation in the south
Al Arabiya English/26 July/2025
A diplomatic source familiar with the recent meeting held in the French capital,
Paris, revealed that the dialogue – which brought together a delegation from the
Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Intelligence Directorate with
representatives from the Israeli side – was conducted under US mediation. The
talks focused on recent security developments and efforts to contain the ongoing
escalation in southern Syria. According to the source who spoke exclusively to
Al Arabiya, the meeting did not produce any final agreements. Instead, it was an
initial round of consultations aimed at reducing tensions and reopening channels
of communication amid the escalation that has continued since early December.
During the meeting, the Syrian delegation emphasized that the unity, integrity,
and sovereignty of Syrian territory are non-negotiable principles. It stressed
that Sweida and its people are an integral part of the Syrian state whose status
cannot be undermined or isolated under any pretext. The delegation also
reaffirmed that the Syrian people – alongside state institutions – are genuinely
committed to rebuilding the destruction caused by the war. After years of
conflict, Syrians are now seeking security and stability, and they firmly reject
any suspicious schemes that threaten the country’s unity. The delegation
categorically rejected the presence of any illegal foreign forces on Syrian soil
and denounced any attempts to exploit segments of Syrian society to pursue
partition plans or create parallel entities that could fragment the state and
stoke sectarian divisions. The Syrian side also warned against all efforts to
drag the country into chaos or internal strife, cautioning that such schemes
target Syria’s national fabric. It called on the international community to take
responsibility in preventing further escalation.
The delegation also held Israel accountable for the latest escalation,
particularly the military incursions into certain areas following December 8. It
warned that the continuation of these aggressive policies threatens the security
of the entire region and made clear that Syria will not accept any attempts to
impose new realities on the ground. The source noted that the talks also
included discussion on the possible reactivation of the disengagement agreement,
under international guarantees. The Syrian delegation demanded an immediate
Israeli withdrawal from the areas recently entered.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to hold additional rounds
of talks in the near future. These meetings aim to continue discussions and
assess measures to stabilize the south and contain tensions, all within a
framework that respects Syria’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and independent
political decision-making. The source concluded by saying that the talks were
frank and conducted in a spirit of responsibility. They form part of broader
efforts to avoid further escalation but, at this stage, do not amount to a
formal agreement. The Syrian state remains fully committed to defending its
territorial integrity and population and rejects any partition plans or attempts
to drag the country into a new cycle of internal conflict.
Syria, Israel agree to further talks on de-escalating
conflict, Ekhbariya TV reports
Reuters/July 26, 2025
(Reuters) -Syrian and Israeli officials agreed to meet again after no final
accord was reached in U.S.-mediated talks in Paris on de-escalating the conflict
in southern Syria, state-run Ekhbariya TV reported on Saturday, citing a
diplomatic source. The source described the dialogue as "honest and
responsible", in the first confirmation from the Syrian side that talks had
taken place. On Friday, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said officials from both
countries spoke about de-escalating the situation in Syria during the talks on
Thursday. Representatives from the Syrian foreign ministry and intelligence
officials were in attendance, Syria's Ekhbariya reported. Hundreds of people
have been reported killed in clashes in the southern Syrian province of Sweida
between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces. Israel
intervened with airstrikes to prevent what it said was mass killings of Druze by
government forces. Last week's clashes underlined the challenges interim
President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces in stabilising Syria and maintaining centralised
rule, despite warming ties with the U.S. and his administration's evolving
security contacts with Israel. The diplomatic source said the meeting involved
initial consultations aimed at "reducing tensions and opening channels of
communication amid an ongoing escalation since early December".The Syrian side
held Israel responsible for the latest escalation, saying that the continuation
of such "hostile policies" was threatening the region, according to the source.
The Syrian delegation also said that Damascus would not accept "imposing new
realities on the ground".
The Latest English LCCC analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sources
on July 26-27/2025
‘Humanitarian
city’ and ‘voluntary migration’ are inhumane and involuntary
Yossi Mekelberg/Arab News/July 26,
2025
The Oxford Dictionary defines “euphemism” as “a mild or indirect word or
expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when
referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.” Wars and conflicts that
cause unbearable suffering have also become fertile ground for irritating
euphemisms. After all, individuals or groups involved in inflicting pain and
misery on others are trying to hide their sense of shame, embarrassment, guilt,
or accountability by using “creative” and “imaginative” euphemisms in order to
deflect from their responsibility for their ill-doings. For example, one of the
most used, though scorned, euphemisms from recent military history is
“collateral damage,” a term first used during the Vietnam War. In reality, this
refers to death, injury, or damage to property inflicted on noncombatants —
sometimes unintended, but very often recklessly — during military operations.
Two more examples are “extraordinary rendition” and “friendly fire.” The first
refers to seizing terror suspects and whisking them away to remote places in
order to use illegal interrogation techniques, including torture; while the
second refers to being shot accidentally by your own side — and there is nothing
friendly about that.
New wars bring with them new euphemisms or the dusting off of old ones, and in
recent months Israel has increasingly been using two that are infuriating, but
worse, pose a danger that if translated into reality are most likely to result
in the committing of further war crimes. Let us start with the increasing use of
“voluntary migration” regarding the people of Gaza. Nothing is voluntary in what
is being suggested by Israeli officials. Cabinet ministers began floating this
idea just weeks after the Hamas attack of Oct. 7.
The ultra-nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads one of the
religious ultra-nationalist parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
coalition, and happens also to be a prominent settler in the occupied West Bank,
declared in November 2023: “I welcome the initiative of the voluntary emigration
of Gaza Arabs to countries around the world, as the right humanitarian solution
for the residents of Gaza.”
As the war continued, Netanyahu joined the chorus of supporters and endorsed
this despicable idea, encouraged by the US president's suggestion to push the
entire Gaza population out of the enclave, while calling it “a remarkable idea,”
and one that “should be really pursued.” To translate this idea into a practical
plan, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the establishment of a new
directorate in the Defense Ministry tasked with enabling Palestinians to
“voluntarily” leave the Gaza Strip. The use of the world “voluntary” is
deliberately misleading because those who are plotting the operation are well
aware that Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits “individual or
mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from
occupied territory to the territory of the occupying power or to that of any
other country, occupied or not.”
Gaza’s more than 2 million people were living in the world’s biggest open-air
prison even before the war broke out. The only exception is for the purpose of
ensuring the security of the people displaced, and even the current Israeli
government would find it impossible to convincingly advocate that this is their
intention. Instead, experts in international law suggest that the constant
displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and attempts to move them altogether out of
the enclave are in breach of international law, and for the rest of us represent
a cruel and immoral act of immense proportions, with serious political
implications across the region.
Those who toy with “voluntary migration” know that they abuse the term
voluntary, as it suggests doing something of one’s own free will. Gaza’s more
than 2 million people were living in the world’s biggest open-air prison even
before the war broke out, and since then have been experiencing a living hell.
Most have already been forcefully displaced several times, suffering from
extreme shortages of food, water, medical help, shelter, and other basic needs.
They are also traumatized by what they have experienced and witnessed in nearly
two years of a war that hardly distinguishes between combatants and
noncombatants, while every day they live in the constant fear that this might be
the last for themselves and their loved ones. And despite that, most do not want
to leave what is their home, even if it is a devastated one. Who could blame
them if in the face of this cruel reality, and with no end in sight, they did
wish to leave? But fleeing from the horrors of a death trap hardly constitutes
voluntary migration.
If this situation does not scare them enough to make them run for the border,
the Israeli government has come up with the even more sinister idea of building
a “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah. One wonders what sick brains have
been brewing this evil plan to cram at least 600,000 souls into a new encampment
on the border with Egypt, in a location that is already one of the most densely
populated territories in the world. Audaciously, Israel’s defense minister made
no attempt to hide the true intention of this huge camp, openly declaring that
those who move there will be free to leave, but only to go to another country —
once again this doublespeak of “free will” and “completely voluntarily.” For the
rest of us, this is a plan to transfer as many Palestinians as possible out of
Gaza.
The international community must not fall into the trap of these euphemisms, and
must call out these horrific ideas for what they are — cruel and inhumane, and
aimed at pushing out of Gaza as many as Palestinians as possible, and leaving
the place under Israeli control, along with the idea being floated of building
settlements there for Israelis. Those who supported Israel, and rightly so,
after Oct. 7, should be brave and use what leverage they have to remove from the
agenda any forced displacement or the building of what one former Israeli prime
minister has called a concentration camp. The anger directed at Hamas for the
hostages still held in captivity must not continue to be directed at innocent
civilians as a justification for committing atrocities, and Israeli society must
wake up and acknowledge this. After all, it is being done in their name.
A good start would be to call a spade a spade, and call out “voluntary
migration” for what it is: an attempt to force the residents of Gaza out of
their homes and push them into an inhumane camp and not a so-called
“humanitarian city.”
**Yossi Mekelberg is a professor of international relations and an associate
fellow of the MENA Program at Chatham House. X: @YMekelberg
Turkiye stands to gain from waning Western support for
Israel
Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/July 26, 2025
Turkiye, which has historically relied on US-made fighter jets, had been for
some time working on a deal to acquire Eurofighter Typhoon jets as part of its
long-term goal to modernize and expand its air force. This week, those efforts
finally bore fruit. Turkiye has reached preliminary agreements with both the UK
and Germany for the potential purchase of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
British Defense Secretary John Healey heralded the agreements as bringing
Turkiye “one step closer to a fully comprehensive agreement” that would bolster
the air capabilities of both Ankara and NATO.
The signing of these deals has raised deep concerns in Israel, as opposition
parties have criticized the Israeli government for failing to prevent the deal
from moving forward. Some analysts and policymakers in Washington have also
voiced discomfort with the deal, saying that it contradicts the German
government’s previous decision to block the sale based on Turkiye’s support for
some groups that threaten Western strategic interests. The Eurofighter Typhoon,
produced by a consortium comprising the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, had long
been out of Turkiye’s reach. The deal had stalled for years, primarily due to
Germany’s persistent concerns regarding Turkiye’s foreign policy. Therefore, the
recent development is far more than a simple military procurement transaction;
it reflects a broader recalibration of European priorities at a time NATO
recalibrates its approach in the face of potential future threats from Russia.
So, it is not only about modernizing Turkiye’s air force, but also about
establishing Turkiye as a more deeply integrated player within Europe’s evolving
defense framework. The move can also be interpreted as a message to the US that
Washington must reconsider its position on excluding Turkiye from the F-35
stealth fighter jet program, from which Ankara was expelled in 2019 after its
acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system. From Turkiye’s
point of view, Ankara is clearly preparing for a long game. Turkiye is still
exploring avenues to rejoin the US-led F-35 program, but the signing of these
deals will accelerate Turkiye’s arms buildup in a way that could eventually
challenge Israel’s military edge in the region. Israel’s recent military
actions, including its 12-day confrontation with Iran, Turkiye’s immediate
neighbor, and airstrikes in the Syrian Arab Republic, have deeply concerned
Turkish policymakers. According to several senior Turkish officials and
commentators, there is now a belief that Turkiye could be the next regional
target of Israeli military assertiveness. The broader perception in Ankara is
that Israel is pursuing a destabilizing military policy in the region, and
Turkiye must prepare accordingly.
Moreover, Ankara has made clear that it will oppose any future NATO military
collaboration with Israel until it ends its assault on Gaza. Turkiye, as a NATO
member, holds veto power over alliance decisions — a powerful tool it has
exercised in the past. For instance, Turkiye previously blocked Israel’s bid for
observer status within NATO, a decision it only reversed temporarily during a
short-lived reconciliation era in 2023.
Now, Turkish leaders are openly signaling their position to use that veto power
again to isolate Israel within NATO’s framework.
The perception in Ankara is that Israel is pursuing a destabilizing policy in
the region, and Turkiye must prepare accordingly. This stance aligns Turkiye
with a growing number of Western countries that are increasingly frustrated by
Israel’s war in Gaza and its destabilizing policies across the region. Just a
day before the Eurofighter deal was made public, the UK issued a warning that it
could take further measures against Israel if it refused to bring the conflict
in Gaza to a close. This came after several European countries condemned Israel
for restricting humanitarian aid deliveries and for allegedly killing hundreds
of Palestinians at designated food distribution sites. In May, the UK announced
the suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel. British Foreign Secretary
David Lammy recently said he was “sickened” by the suffering in Gaza, although
he did not specify what concrete actions might follow.
European capitals have also been reassessing their diplomatic and trade ties
with Israel over Gaza. An internal report recently found indications that Israel
has violated its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association
Agreement, a 25-year-old legal framework governing the political relationship
and trade cooperation between the two sides. But so far the EU has taken no
action to suspend such ties. Full or partial suspension of the EU-Israel
Association Agreement requires a unanimous agreement by all 27 members of the
EU. Although such unity is hard to achieve, the talks over this signals shifting
sentiment within EU corridors. Thus, the Eurofighter deal with Turkiye is a test
of European priorities and the cost of their support for Israel. Germany, which
has long maintained its backing for Israel, has recently sharpened its tone,
signaling greater discomfort with the war in Gaza. European capitals are
reassessing their long-term approach as the political cost of unconditional
support for Israel rises. The unfolding humanitarian catastrophe has shifted
public opinion and forced many Western governments to reevaluate their approach
toward Israel.
Amid this, diplomats from Germany, France, and the UK met with Iran’s Deputy
Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Istanbul on Friday to try to restart
negotiations on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
Israel’s war in Gaza, coupled with its operations in Syria and Iran, is
generating rising discomfort in European capitals. Given that Turkiye is hosting
these critical talks between the West and Iran, and having signed the
Eurofighter deals, it is becoming evident that the waning of Israel’s
exceptionalism in Western strategic calculations is to Ankara’s benefit.
**Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s
relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
Modi’s UK visit shows Europe is warming to India
Andrew Hammond/Arab News/July 26, 2025
It was not many years ago that Narendra Modi’s reputation in Europe, and much of
the rest of the world, was dogged by controversy surrounding his political past.
However, the Indian prime minister is now widely feted internationally. This
factor was highlighted, most recently, during Modi’s state visit to the UK. Modi
was accorded all the pomp that the UK state could muster, including a meeting
with King Charles. The political icing on the cake was the signing with UK Prime
Minister Keir Starmer of the newly agreed India-UK trade deal that will boost
bilateral trade on goods and services which was estimated at around £41 billion
($55 billion) in the 12 months through to September 2024, according to the UK
government. The huge lure of India for the EU and much of the rest of the West
is not just economic, tantalizing as the prospect is of a market projected,
according to Morgan Stanley, as being on a pathway to surpass Japan and Germany
to become the world’s third-largest economy in coming years. This includes a
middle-class consumer market expected to reach about 95 million by 2035, a
number larger than the current population of every EU nation, including Germany.
In addition, India is widely perceived in the West as a relatively friendly,
long-term geopolitical ally. During the Cold War, India was aligned with the
Soviet Union, and had a protectionist economy moving away from the colonial era.
Yet, European and wider Western leaders regularly highlight that today there is
a shared commitment to a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism,
and sustainable development. There are also converging interests around shared
defense mechanisms, including for maritime security in the Indian Ocean, where
around 40 percent of bilateral trade passes.
In the US, President Donald Trump would welcome a tariff and wider trade deal
with Modi. However, it may be Europe that has been pushing hardest of any region
for agreements with New Delhi.
In March 2024, a trade agreement was signed by the four-member European Free
Trade Association — Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This will
trigger EFTA investment in India of about €95 billion ($111 billion) in a range
of industries, including pharmaceuticals, machinery, and manufacturing. The deal
arrived after almost 16 years of negotiations and will see India lifting key
import tariffs on industrial goods from the four countries. The political icing
on the cake was the signing with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the newly
agreed India-UK trade deal.
Next in line is the UK, which under several recent prime ministers, including
Rishi Sunak and Starmer, has pushed hard for the deal that has now materialized.
Of course, London and New Delhi have long had a unique relationship dating back
to the British Empire and today’s Commonwealth. What the new deal seeks to
deliver is entrenching this in the context of a modern trade deal which can
boost key UK sectors, including defense manufacturing, international investment
— via the City of London — and technology, including telecoms.
With the EFTA nations and the UK getting a deal done, the EU is also doubling
down to secure an agreement with India. The seriousness with which Brussels
takes India’s economic opportunity was shown by the visit earlier this year of
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the rest of the College
of 27 Commissioners to India for the talks.
This remarkably rare display of European political commitment to “advance trade,
economic security, and resilient supply chains, along with a common tech agenda
and reinforced security and defense cooperation” helped kick-start resumption of
India-EU negotiations on a proposed trade agreement. The massive EU market is
India’s largest single trading partner, with trade in goods valued at €124
billion in 2023, an increase of almost 90 percent in the past 10 years. About
6,000 European companies are located in India, providing 1.7 million jobs. One
of the goals of the proposed new India-EU trade deal goal is enhancing
collaboration on economic opportunities including digital transition and green
technologies, including digital public infrastructure, and resilience of key
value chains.
What is remarkable in the current big European push toward trade deal-making
with India is how much previous EU and UK concerns about human rights have been
de-emphasized. Economics has come to dominate bilateral relations in a way that
has been condemned by some nongovernmental organizations. To be sure, the Indian
prime minister is now widely acclaimed not just in Europe, but in much of the
wider world, too. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, for instance, even
likened him to rock musician Bruce Springsteen at a Sydney event in 2023. This
is much removed from the time when Modi’s reputation was dogged by controversies
surrounding his political past, especially in the period before he became prime
minister. This includes treatment of religious minority groups by his Hindu
nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. More recently, Modi has also been walking a
diplomatic tightrope between India’s historical ally Russia and the West over
the Ukraine war. He has, so far, declined to condemn the 2022 invasion by
Moscow, while India snaps up discounted Russian oil that was previously consumed
by European nations. Moreover, Russia continues to be one of India’s largest
arms suppliers. However, such controversies are likely to continue to be
de-emphasized while the EU remains focused on its trade agreement with India.
Following EFTA and the UK, Brussels now perceives a political window of
opportunity for a deal to deliver deeper economic and geopolitical
collaboration.
**Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.
The Middle East
Between Conflictual and Reformist Mentality
Dr. Mansour Al-Shammari/Asharq Al Awsat/July 26/2025
History shows us that the Middle East has long been the land of spiritual
values. To this day, these values remain the moral system of large segments of
the globe. It is in this region that the three monotheistic religions were born.
It was on this land that the routes of global trade once passed, becoming the
vital arteries through which the finest and rarest of its manufactured goods
passed. These routes allowed civilizations to encounter one another and engage
in cultural, linguistic, and intellectual cross-fertilization. That is how some
of the greatest schools of thought came from the Middle East, which became the
link of humanity’s heritage and the world’s memory, saving its knowledge from
extinction.
Yet the tectonic shifts of the great struggle among global powers, and the
decisive civilizational break that began at the end of the nineteenth century,
upended all of that. New priorities emerged: the logic of practical interests,
particularly economic interests. The civilizational foundations of the world
were shaken, and it was redrawn without regard for the distinct cultural,
anthropological, or linguistic characteristics of the regions caught in the
crossfire of strategic competition.
What was the result? The logic of the world changed, along with its mechanisms
for confronting challenges. A deep rupture with the chivalric and spiritual
discourse of the "old world" gave way to a new discourse- more technical,
pragmatic, and efficient. This shift was a severe shock to those who had failed
to grasp these changes in time.
The effects of this shock have lingered ever since. At times, it has given rise
to projects seeking to completely shed previous identities. At other times, it
provoked fierce opposition from groups that called for a return to the
pre-modern world. These groups believed that the wheel of history could be
turned backward, and that reality could be swept away simply by impassioned
slogans that resurrect the language of a bygone era.
In truth, between the desire to break with the past and the impulse to keep
living in and identifying with it that followed this rupture, the Middle East
has been mired in a chronic crisis. Since the 1920s, the region has been
recycling the same conflicts. The mindsets that fuel them failed to ever
seriously update their conception of things despite the numerous ruptures that
we have seen since then.
Nonetheless, the region has continued to cling to its status quo, leading many
to fall into a kind of obsession with perpetual conflict. Their worldview
envisions the world as a permanent battlefield where problems can only be
resolved through further violence and hatred. We should not assume that this
mentality is confined to a single group. Rather, it is a deep-seated and latent
logic that manifests itself in many languages and various religious communities-
through an array of movements and organizations. Yet despite their differences,
they follow this same underlying belligerent logic.
At various moments in the region’s history, conflict has been justified in
militant terms and presented as the path to salvation. We were told that to
arrive at the “great battle,” we had to first engage in domestic violent
struggles. As a result, militia training camps became breeding grounds for
radical ideologies that were reconstructed and passed down to youths.
And then? The same belligerent mentality was reproduced once again. This time,
it took a new ideological guise. A hybrid framework emerged, producing a
discourse that was neither at peace with its spiritual foundations nor fully
aware of the consequences of its discourse. This propelled a new wave of
propaganda promoting conflict through an ideological discourse that draws on
historical narratives and projects them onto present realities to reach a
broader audience, exploiting the Middle Eastern psyche’s deep attachment to its
spiritual values and history.
This discourse came to constitute a form of cultural opportunism. It dealt a
devastating blow to the psychological and intellectual balance of many
generations who, swept by the rhetoric of open-ended conflict, failed to
understand what was happening. These generations squandered historic
opportunities to enter modern competition and enter a race that waits for no one
as the competition accumulates power, progress, and prosperity.
Tragically, this belligerent mindset fixated on questions of the past and
reactions whose original context no longer even exists. The conflictual project
greatly benefited from the entrenchment of its slogans and narratives for
generations, thanks to its powerful arsenal of rhetorical manipulation. As a
result, these generations became increasingly susceptible to the belief that the
only way out of the crisis was to fuel its most extreme violent expression
within the framework of an all-encompassing battle that had been anticipated and
awaited for decades. One opportunity after another to build a dignified life was
lost as a result. Fueled by violent mobilization and incitement, the machinery
of violence spun out of control, spilling the blood of its believers more than
it did their supposed enemies. Instead of being trained to think critically
about the crisis, generations remained caught in a state of chronic crisis that
stripped them of political, social, and intellectual maturity.
Another rare, forward-thinking mentality emerged meanwhile. It understood the
rules of competition, understood the nature of challenges, identified its
sources of strength and potential weaknesses, and developed a political and
conceptual approach grounded in a coherent conception of what was possible. This
mindset focused, with balance and wisdom, on building nations that provide
contemporary living standards and pursuing sensible aspirations as they shun the
excesses of rhetoric and chivalric bombast. Even though the Middle East had
historically led the way in eras suited to the language of horses and swords,
this mentality, which we might call the reformist impulse, understood that the
modern lexicon is not that of the 19th century or earlier periods, when people
spoke of strength and managing crises and challenges in entirely different
terms.
Though this reformist mindset never received the same fanfare that the
belligerent mindset has, it has proven effective for offering pragmatic,
reasonable solutions to many of the long-standing challenges that have plagued
the Middle East for decades. Despite this success, however, the conflictual
mentality remains more widespread because of propaganda and ideologies that
serve narrow interests and entrench conflict-driven worldviews.
This will undoubtedly have consequences for future generations. If we do not do
our part now, they too will miss their encounter with history, and they will
lose their chance to engage constructively with the modern world: to demand new
tools and skills. It is for this reason that the Middle East needs to re-center
the reformist mindset.
'Bring the Head of Trump': Iran Must Be Stopped
Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute./July 26, 2025
Shortly after the fatwa was announced, Mansour Emami, the state-appointed head
of Iran's official Islamic Propagation Organization... announced that a reward
of 100 billion tomans (approximately $1.14 million) would be paid to anyone who
"brings the head of Trump."
On top of that, reports from inside Iran reveal that the regime and its
supporters have reportedly raised more than $40 million in a crowdfunding
campaign to murder Trump. What has the response been from the international
community? Silence. Where are the liberal voices, the pro-Iran "diplomacy-first"
crowd, the think tank elites who have spent years telling us that we should
appease Tehran and give them billions of dollars for "peace"? Where are the
so-called champions of human rights in the West, who constantly criticize Israel
and the U.S. but cannot seem to say a word about an Islamic regime putting a
bounty on the head of an American president? In the minds of Iran's clerics, a
fatwa is binding, a direct command from a "representative of God" on earth. When
a fatwa calls for killing a person, it is a divine order for murder, complete
with the promise of heavenly reward for the murderer.
When Shirazi issued his fatwa, he did not just target Trump. He declared Trump a
mohareb — an enemy of God. In the ideology of Iran's theocratic regime, this
label also carries the death penalty. The person who kills Trump, in their eyes,
is not just a hitman; he is a holy warrior. A martyr. A man destined for
paradise, where virgins and heavenly blessings await him. It is this worldview
that is now driving Iran's strategy; the danger is not just to Trump, but to
every nation in the free world and to everyone who practices any religion other
than Shia Islam.
It is time for Americans to stop pretending that diplomacy will solve
everything. It will not. Every American should support policies that will
eventually lead to the fall of Iran's murderous government: it does not hesitate
to kill its neighbors or even its own people... and continuing to use military
force when necessary to protect American lives and interests. Under no
circumstances should the US reward Iran with concessions. In Iran, that is seen
only as weakness. It sends a message to every terrorist and tyrant in the world
that the United States can be pushed to offer bribes, which are then used to
build their war machines.
If we allow such aggression go unanswered—if we allow a sitting president to be
hunted with no consequences — we are only begging for more attacks. Grand
Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of the most powerful clerics in Iran's
theocratic system, has issued an official fatwa — a religious decree — calling
for the murder of President Donald J. Trump. What makes the fatwa even more
outrageous is that the regime is not just issuing threats—it has been raising
money, publicly -- to pay for Trump's murder.
Iran's regime has crossed a line that no sovereign state has ever crossed
before: it openly called for the assassination of a sitting president of the
United States.
Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of the most powerful clerics in
Iran's theocratic system, has issued an official fatwa — a religious decree —
calling for the murder of President Donald J. Trump. It did not come from some
fringe radical hiding in a cave. It came directly from the top of Iran's
religious and political hierarchy. This is equivalent to a declaration of war.
What makes the fatwa even more outrageous is that the regime is not just issuing
threats—it has been raising money, publicly -- to pay for Trump's murder. It is
not a joke. It is a direct, state-sanctioned call to eliminate America's leader.
Shortly after the fatwa was announced, Mansour Emami, the state-appointed head
of Iran's official Islamic Propagation Organization in West Azerbaijan Province,
announced that a reward of 100 billion tomans (approximately $1.14 million)
would be paid to anyone who "brings the head of Trump." A religious cleric with
an official government position, not a rogue agent, was offering a
million-dollar bounty to behead the U.S. president. On top of that, reports from
inside Iran reveal that the regime and its supporters have reportedly raised
more than $40 million in a crowdfunding campaign to murder Trump. This is the
kind of behavior you would expect from ISIS or al-Qaeda, not from a government
that has embassies, diplomats, and sits at the negotiating table with the United
Nations and other world powers. What has the response been from the
international community? Silence. Where are the liberal voices, the pro-Iran
"diplomacy-first" crowd, the think tank elites who have spent years telling us
that we should appease Tehran and give them billions of dollars for "peace"?
Where are the so-called champions of human rights in the West, who constantly
criticize Israel and the U.S. but cannot seem to say a word about an Islamic
regime putting a bounty on the head of an American president? If any Western
nation, let alone the United States, had done something even remotely similar,
the global media and the complicit United Nations would have gone into meltdown.
Because the call comes from Iran — the pet regime of the academic left, the
darling of anti-American ideologues — it gets a pass? A fatwa is not just a
statement or opinion. A fatwa is a religious edict issued by an Islamic
authority that carries "spiritual" and legal obligation within Islamic law. In
the minds of Iran's clerics, a fatwa is binding, a direct command from a
"representative of God" on earth. When a fatwa calls for killing a person, it is
a divine order for murder, complete with the promise of heavenly reward for the
murderer.
That is exactly what happened in 1989, when Iran's then Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa for the murder of author Salman Rushdie, for
allegedly blaspheming Islam in his novel The Satanic Verses -- a work of
fiction. Western commentators at the time scoffed at the order, called it
"symbolic." Then what happened? After decades, the fatwa was acted upon. In
2022, Rushdie was stabbed multiple times on a stage in New York by a young
Muslim man who was radicalized online and motivated by the decree to kill.
The same dynamic is now unfolding against Trump. When Shirazi issued his fatwa,
he did not just target Trump. He declared Trump a mohareb — an enemy of God. In
the ideology of Iran's theocratic regime, this label also carries the death
penalty. The person who kills Trump, in their eyes, is not just a hitman; he is
a holy warrior. A martyr. A man destined for paradise, where virgins and
heavenly blessings await him. It is this worldview that is now driving Iran's
strategy; the danger is not just to Trump, but to every nation in the free world
and to everyone who practices any religion other than Shia Islam.
What makes this situation even more grotesque is that Trump actually spared the
life of Iran's top leader. Just before Shirazi's fatwa, Trump publicly revealed
that, during Israeli and American airstrikes in Iran, he had precise
intelligence on the exact location of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump could
have authorized a strike that would have killed Iran's ruler and decapitated the
regime. But he did not. He later said, "I saved him [Khamenei] from a very ugly
and ignominious death." That was not the action of a warmonger, but of a strong,
careful leader who knows the power of mercy. How did Iran respond? By offering
$40 million for Trump's head.
This should alarm every American. Make no mistake—this fatwa extends beyond
Trump himself. The same regime has plotted to assassinate former Trump officials
has been killing Americans for decades, including the 1983 bombings in Beirut
and the attacks on 9/11. The Department of Justice and U.S. intelligence
agencies have already foiled Iranian plots on U.S. soil. Nevertheless, we are
dealing with a regime that has the will, the money, and the operational
capability to carry out these threats.
It is time for Americans to stop pretending that diplomacy will solve
everything. It will not. We are not dealing with a "normal" government here.
This is a theocratic death cult with oil money and ballistic missiles. Yet, some
in Washington still want to negotiate with this regime, sign new nuclear deals,
release frozen Iranian funds, and ease sanctions. Are we insane? How do you
negotiate with a regime that since its inception has vowed "Death to America" –
as an outspoken official "policy" -- and that is openly raising money to kill
your president?
The time for adolescent wishes for a one-sided "peace" is over. If Iran's regime
has declared war on the United States, then we had better treat it as such.
Every American should support policies that will eventually lead to the fall of
Iran's murderous government: it does not hesitate to kill its neighbors or even
its own people. Such policies might include maintaining and expanding primary
and especially secondary sanctions; isolating Iran diplomatically, building a
coalition with allies such as Israel and Gulf states – and continuing to use
military force when necessary to protect American lives and interests.
We must also support the Iranian people who risk everything to rise up against
this tyranny. The young men and women who chant "Death to the dictator!" in the
streets of Tehran are our natural allies. We should be funding them,
broadcasting their voices, and helping them organize against the regime.
Under no circumstances should the US reward Iran with concessions. In Iran, that
is seen only as weakness. It sends a message to every terrorist and tyrant in
the world that the United States can be pushed to offer bribes, which are then
used to build their war machines.
Iran's regime is not a victim of Western aggression. It is not "misunderstood."
It is a violent, expansionist, apocalyptic regime that openly wants to destroy
America and dominate the Middle East, then the rest of the world:
"We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry 'There is no
god but Allah' resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle," Khomeini,
the founder of the 1979 Islamic revolution, declared.
The regime funds terrorists, murders dissidents, persecutes religious
minorities, and now, is calling for the murder of the American president. It is
important to respond with strength.
This confrontation is not just about Trump. It is about the future of America's
security and the survival of Western civilization. The Iranian regime has made
its intentions clear: it wants to eliminate the symbol of American strength,
leadership and freedom – on its way to eliminating America. Why else has it
infiltrated South America and Cuba? If we allow such aggression go unanswered—if
we allow a sitting president to be hunted with no consequences — we are only
begging for more attacks.
https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/inbox/id/AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AQD3AMaXtfEW1haoJocBU4gAIaoV4iQAA
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, is a political scientist, Harvard-educated analyst, and
board member of Harvard International Review. He has authored several books on
the US foreign policy. He can be reached at dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu
**Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Selected Tweets for
26 July/2025
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Obituary -- Ziad Rahbani, composer, playwright, and musician, died at 69. A hero
among the Intifada crowd for his communist and dictator-leaning politics, Ziad
was also an inevitable stop on the intellectual journey of those like me, who
broke from the traditional, often religious, politics of our upbringing. Born to
legendary composer Assi Rahbani and the iconic Lebanese singer Fairuz, Ziad was
steeped in music from childhood. Assi, a Greek Orthodox Christian and former
traffic policeman, became a household name through his musical genius. Fairuz,
now 90, hails from the ancient Syriac Orthodox Christian community, her family
having fled Turkish massacres in Mardin, now in southeast Turkey. Assi and
Fairuz gained fame by reviving Lebanese folk music, crafting a romanticized
vision of rural Lebanon in their plays—some adapted into films starring Fairuz—and
songs. Their work shaped modern Lebanese national identity, portraying a
harmonious, mountainous village life. Trained in piano from a young age, Ziad
wrote and produced his first play, Sahriyyeh, at 17 in 1973. Over the next two
decades, he created five more plays and several radio series. Unlike his
parents, who celebrated tradition, Ziad’s work satirized it, sharply critiquing
Lebanese society and its lawlessness during the civil war years. In contrast to
his devout Christian mother, Ziad embraced atheism and communism, rejecting
Lebanon’s “coexistence formula”—the system ensuring equal Christian-Muslim
representation in government. A champion of change, he opposed Lebanese
conservatism, embracing Western music and ideas, particularly jazz. However,
Ziad’s vision of progress leaned toward a European, Soviet-style military
dictatorship, dismissing liberty and democracy as capitalist tools. Despite
practicing capitalism himself, he openly despised it. For young Lebanese
rebelling against conservative religious politics, Ziad was a beacon. Many
embraced his push for modernization and Westernization. By age 50, Ziad’s love
of strongmen had overpowered his distaste toward religion, conservatism and
sectarian politics. In 2006, he joined Hezbollah’s celebrations of their “divine
victory” over Israel, drawn to the strongman persona of late Hezbollah leader
Nasrallah, despite his earlier rejection of religion and sectarianism. Later,
Ziad Rahbani performed in Damascus at the peak of the civil war when Assad was
killing Syrians wholesale and when the whole world was boycotting Damascus. Ziad
prioritized anti-Israel sentiment over ideals of liberty and democracy. For
those like me, who saw Ziad as a stepping stone toward greater
Westernization—especially liberty and democracy—his later choices put us at odds
with him, despite our admiration for his work and, for some of us, personal
friendship with him. On the day of his death, we still reject his politics but
remain grateful for his role in our intellectual rebellion. His beautiful plays
and music will forever shape who we are.
Congressman Mike Lawler
This week, the Syria Sanctions Accountability Act was marked up and passed the
Financial Services Committee with bipartisan support. I introduced this bill to
modernize the existing sanctions regime on Syria. As the Trump Administration
reviews sanctions policy, we must ensure they have the tools needed.
Mike Pompeo
Here’s my question to President Macron: If you’re going to recognize a
Palestinian state, who’s its leader? The timing of this proposal is
incomprehensible, and the substance is little more than moral preening.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Radical Sunni Islamists in #Syria are now beating and oppressing moderate
average Sunni Syrians and their mosques and hangouts. It
Tammy Bruce
The United States opposes the French government’s release and expulsion to
Lebanon of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. His release threatens
the safety of U.S. diplomats abroad and is a grave injustice to the victims and
the families of those killed. The United States will continue to support the
pursuit of justice in this matter.