English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For March 01/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled
Luke 12,49-53: “‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I
wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and
what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to
bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five
in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they
will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against
daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February 28-March 01/2025
Khamies El Sakra -“Drunkards Thursday”, Maronite Tradition/Elias
Bejjani/February 272025
In Response to MP Sami Gemayel’s Speech in Parliament: No Dialogue, No Deals, No
Lifelines for Hezbollah Before Implementing All UN Resolutions/Elias
Bejjani/February 27, 2025
Video link to a report by investigative journalist Hajar Kanio
Link to a video commentary by journalist Ali Hamade
Video Link for an interview with Writer & Director Youssef Y. ElKoury
Video Link to a patriotic commentary by Dr. Saleh Al-Mashnouk
Lebanon's new PM calls for 'full Israeli withdrawal' while visiting border areas
Lebanon PM demands ‘full Israeli withdrawal’
Budapest Launches Support Mechanism for Lebanese Christians
Lebanese Civil War: Fiftieth Anniversary/Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/February
28/2025
President Aoun to Asharq Al-Awsat: Only the State Can Decide on War and Peace
Man with $2.5 mn arrested at Beirut Airport
Israel reportedly warns of striking Dahieh if Hezbollah keeps 'smuggling arms'
Israel opens fire as 95 civilians and fighters killed in war are buried in
Aitaroun
Salam inspects South, says reconstruction a top priority
UNICEF sounds alarm over 'severe food poverty' among young children in Lebanon
France urges Israel to respect ceasefire deal, withdraw from 5 'strategic hills'
26 charged over UNIFIL attack, $29,000 were stolen from vehicle
US commends Salam, wishes his government success
Kanaan Calls for Reform Budget, Audited Accounts, and Independent Justice
World Bank Commits $250 Million to Lebanon’s $1 Billion Fund
Economic Organizations Applaud Decision to Reject Public Loans
Hezbollah's Financing From Iran Undermined Following Assad's Fall in Syria
From Father to Son, from Beirut to the Louvre, the Epic of the Abou Adal
Icons/Bélinda Ibrahim/This Is Beirut/February 28/2025
Beirut Strangled by Traffic: The Poisonous Effects on the City and Its
Residents/Karl Hajj Moussa/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Saudi support vital if Lebanon is to rise again/Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib/Arab
News/February 28, 2025
Amyli Shiism vs. Khomeini Shiism/Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al-Watan/February 28,
2025
Lebanon May Be Ready for Peace With Israel. Both Sides Need to Prepare/Hussain
Abdul-Hussain/Haaretz/February 28/2025
An Open Letter
to Presidents Aoun and Salam: Lebanon Needs More Than Statements/Ambassador Dr.
Hisham Hamdan/February 28/2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on February 28-March
01/2025
Ramadan Crescent moon sighted; first day of holy month on Saturday
Trump shouts at Zelensky as he and Vance berate Ukrainian leader as
‘disrespectful’
Hamas urges pressure on Israel to start next phase of Gaza ceasefire
Israeli PM Netanyahu to hold security meeting after delegation returns from
Cairo
Arab unity on Gaza will help ‘guide the path forward,’ UN chief says ahead of
Cairo summit
Israel lobbies US to keep Russian bases in a ‘weak’ Syria, sources say
British minister resigns over overseas aid cut
Jury finds Illinois landlord guilty of murder, hate crime in 2023 attack on
Palestinian American boy
Ailing Pope Suffers Breathing 'Crisis', Vatican
Macron Announces EU Plans for 'Reciprocal' Tariffs on US Steel and Aluminium
PKK: A 40-Year Struggle/Paul Guillot/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on February 28-March
01/2025
Syria: Muslims Kidnapping, Possibly Torturing, Christians/Uzay Bulut/Gatestone
Institute/February 28, 2025
Question: “Christian fasting — what does the Bible say?”/GotQuestions.org/February
28, 2025
What TRUE Discrimination Looks Like: Mosques vs Churches in Egypt/Raymond
Ibrahim /Coptic Solidarity/February 28, 2025
Setting a global standard in low-carbon innovation/Marco Arcelli/Arab
News/February 28, 2025
Europe must double down on green transition/Laurence Tubiana/Arab News/February
28, 2025
Europe comes to Washington to boost transatlantic relations/Luke Coffey/Arab
News/February 28, 2025
Turkiye sits on the fence amid US-EU split/Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/February
28, 2025
Is the BBC biased in its Gaza-Israel coverage?/Sherouk Zakaria/Arab
News/February 28, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on February 28-March 01/2025
Khamies El Sakra -“Drunkards Thursday”, Maronite Tradition
Elias Bejjani/February 272025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/115838/
Today, Thursday, February 08/2024,
the Catholic Maronites in Lebanon celebrate a tradition, and not a religious
event. A tradition they call “Drunkards Thursday,” which is the day that falls
before the beginning of the forty-day fasting ritual – the Lent, that begins on
the Ash Monday.
In past years, Maronite families, particularly in the mountainous areas, used to
gather on this day at the dinner table to pray, meditate, and thank God for His
blessings and gifts. They used to gather to thank the Lord for His gifts, and to
supplicate for His blessings and approval before they start the Lent fasting,
and before the start of austerity and prayers in preparation for the celebration
of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and his ascension to heaven.
The “Drunkards Thursday”, is neither a Maronite, nor a Christian holiday.
Rather, it is a tradition that many of our people no longer celebrate, even if
they remember it.
Historically, “drunkards Thursday” is an old tradition, and we do not know in
any era of time it existed, and who created it, but it was certainly practiced
in our mountains every year on the Thursday before the beginning of the
forty-days fasting ritual – The Lent. There is very little information written
about it in the books of Lebanese history and the Maronite church records (synaxarium).
Some historical records say that the Maronites used to drink wine and Arak (Ozo)
on this day, as a token of joy and partnership between parents and families
during their blessed gatherings around the dinner table, as a replicate, concept
and symbolism of the secret and last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples,
in a religious bid to give thanks to God for His blessings and gifts that He
bestowed upon them.
In Response to MP
Sami Gemayel’s Speech in Parliament: No Dialogue, No Deals, No Lifelines for
Hezbollah Before Implementing All UN Resolutions
Elias Bejjani/February 27, 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140653/
In times of crises and catastrophes,
true leadership requires vision, along with a clear sense of priorities. Given
the tragic state Lebanon is in today, what is needed is not pointless dialogues,
humiliating compromises, fake embraces, or absurd theatrics. The priority must
be the complete eradication of Hezbollah’s terrorist and occupying cancerous
status in all its forms—civil, cultural, and military.
To be clear, the issue is Hezbollah, not the honorable Shiite community, which
the party has been taken hostage, suppressing its will through force, money, and
sectarian indoctrination.
The first step must be the full implementation of international resolutions,
including all provisions of the ceasefire agreement, the restoration of state
authority from Hezbollah’s mini-state, and the prosecution of Hezbollah
alongside legal action against Iran in international courts to demand
reparations for the destruction and devastation it has inflicted upon Lebanon.
Only after these priorities are met can the Lebanese people—freely and under
international supervision—engage in discussions about the Lebanon they envision
and the system that preserves their religious, ethnic, historical, cultural, and
civilizational diversity.
As for those whose priorities seem misguided for whatever reason, let us remind
them with goodwill that "Abu Melhem," the symbol of compromises, deals, and
power-sharing, is long dead and buried.
And finally, it is a great injustice, wrapped in ignorance, to equate the
different eras of Lebanese crises since independence—between those who were
martyred to preserve Lebanon as a state, with its identity, people, freedoms,
laws, and coexistence, and those who, through force, terrorism, invasions, and
with the support and funding of foreign powers, sought to annex Lebanon to
Syria, turn it into an alternative Palestine, and a subordinate state under the
rule of the Iranian Mullahs' Wilayat al-Faqih.
Video link to a report by
investigative journalist Hajar Kanio that reveals, with names and photos, the
mission of terrorists, criminals, enemies of Lebanon and the Lebanese, ِ team of
the Revolutionary Guard officers tasked by the Iranian mullahs with
rehabilitating Hezbollah! The gang who occupies Lebanon, trades in Shiites,
confiscates their decision-making power, and distances them from their
surroundings through a culture of hostility, hatred, and arrogance.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140717/
Israeli Alma Center: 5 Iranian military units help Hezbollah restore its
military, financial and intelligence capabilities and recruit new members.
February 28, 2025
Link to a video commentary by
journalist Ali Hamade: "The Propaganda Machine Incites the Shiite Environment to
Kill the Lebanese"
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140707/
28 شباط/2025
Link to a video commentary by journalist Ali Hamade "The Propaganda Machine
Incites the Shiite Environment to Kill the Lebanese"—A bold and realistic exposé
that uncovers the criminality, thuggery, terrorism, arrogance, and sheer
stupidity of the remaining leaders of the Persian Hezbollah. This
Iran-controlled militia is not only Lebanon’s enemy but also the greatest threat
to Lebanese Shiites, exploiting their fate, spilling their blood, and destroying
their livelihoods.
Video Link for an interview with
Writer & Director Youssef Y. ElKoury
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140733/
The New Salam Government on
Al-Khoury’s Dissecting Table: its identity-lacking riddles & contradictions, the
theatrical aura surrounding its members, the patchwork statement pieced together
from everywhere & its deviation from any practical initiative. A sharp,
sarcastic analysis of the prime key political issues currently preoccupying the
Lebanese people, as well as a reading of the underlying neoliberalism agenda. A
call to put Lebanon under UN Article 07.
شباط/28/2025
Video Link to a patriotic
commentary by Dr. Saleh Al-Mashnouk
Video Link to a patriotic commentary by Dr. Saleh Al-Mashnouk addressing the
Iranian theatrical show of Nasrallah’s funeral. With the burying of Nasrallah
was buried too Iran’s evil schemes of barbarism, delusions, hallucinations,
heresies, terrorism, arrogance, and Hezbollah’s futile, contradictory, and
hostile wars against everything human, moral, and Lebanese.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140745/
Saleh Al-Mashnouk: Hezbollah did not only bury Hassan Nasrallah’s body, but also
his project, idea, and era.
Lebanon's new PM calls for
'full Israeli withdrawal' while visiting border areas
Sarah El Deeb And Bassem Mroue/AITAROUN, Lebanon (AP)
February 28, 2025
— Lebanon’s new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, used a tour on Friday of areas near
the border with Israel that suffered wide destruction during the 14-month
Israel-Hezbollah war to call for an Israeli withdrawal and promised residents of
border villages a safe return to their homes and reconstruction. Salam's visit
came two days after his government won a vote of confidence in parliament, where
members of Hezbollah’s bloc voted in favor of the new administration's policy
statement, although it said that only the national army has the right defends
the country in case of war. The statement was a blow to the militant group that
has kept its weapons over the past decades saying it is necessary to defend
Lebanon against Israel. “This is the first real working day of the government.
We salute the army and its martyrs,” Salam said in the southern port city of
Tyre while meeting residents of the border village of Dheira. “We promise you a
safe return to your homes as soon as possible.”The government is committed to
the reconstruction of destroyed homes, which “is not a promise but a personal
commitment by myself and the government,” Salam added.
Israel withdrew its troops from much of the border area earlier this month, but
left five outlooking posts inside Lebanon, in what Lebanese officials called a
violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on Nov. 27,
ending the war.
Official burials
Salam said his government is gathering Arab and international support in order
“to force the enemy to withdraw from our occupied lands and the so-called five
points.”“There is no real and lasting stability without full Israeli
withdrawal,” he said. Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border on Oct.
8, 2023, one day after a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel that
sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in
Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a
full-blown war in late September. More than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon
and more than 1 million were displaced at the height of the conflict, of which
over 100,000 have not been able to return home. On the Israeli side, dozens of
people were killed and some 60,000 are displaced. On Friday, the remains of
scores of people who were killed during the war and temporarily buried were
taken to the border village of Aitaroun where an official burial was held.
Charges over attack on UNIFIL
During his tour, Salam -- who also visited the southern cities of Marjayoun and
Nabatiyeh — praised the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, that has been
deployed along the Lebanon-Israel border since 1978. In mid-February, UNIFIL’s
outgoing deputy commander was injured when protesters attacked a convoy taking
peacekeepers to the Beirut airport. On Friday, three judicial officials told The
Associated Press that 26 people have been charged in the attack on UNIFIL,
including five who are in detention and the rest remain at large. The officials
said 26 have were charged late Thursday by the Military Court’s Government
Commissioner Judge Fadi Akiki with terrorism, undermining state authority,
robbery and forming a gang to carry out evil acts. The judicial officials, who
spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said those charged
could get up to life in prison. The officials also said that a bag was stolen
from UNIFIL’s convoy that had about $30,000 in cash and that the money is still
missing.
Lebanon PM demands ‘full
Israeli withdrawal’
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/February 28, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Friday called for a complete
withdrawal of Israeli forces from the country, and promised residents of border
villages a safe return home and reconstruction of their properties. Salam was
speaking during a visit to the border area amid a partial Israel withdrawal.
However, Israeli troops continue to occupy five strategic hills in the region,
blocking the road connecting the border areas.
BACKGROUND
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to areas near the border with Israel that
suffered wide destruction during the war came two days after his government won
a vote of confidence in parliament. Salam said on Friday that the Lebanese army
“is carrying out its responsibilities to the fullest, reinforcing its deployment
with determination and resolve to uphold stability in the south and ensure the
safe return of our people to their villages and homes.” He said that “the army
is the entity in charge of defending Lebanon and accordingly, it should preserve
the country’s security, protect its people, and safeguard its sovereignty and
the unity and security of its territory.”After his government won a confidence
vote in parliament this week, Salam visited the army’s barracks in Tyre and
Marjayoun, as well as Khiam and Nabatieh. Ministers and Maj. Gen. Hassan Aoude,
the acting army commander, accompanied the prime minister. The visit came hours
after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed in a statement that “Israel
has received a green light from the US to stay in the buffer zone in southern
Lebanon.”He said that “our forces will stay indefinitely in the buffer zone,
south of Lebanon.”
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Israeli defense
minister’s claims, saying that “the ceasefire agreement between Israel and
Lebanon clearly stipulates that Israel must withdraw from the south, including
the five strategic points.”Salam was taken to the Benoit Barakat Barracks in
Tyre by military helicopter. The Lebanese PM and his delegation held a meeting
at the sector’s headquarters with Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos, commander of the
southern Litani sector in the Lebanese army. Salam said that the government “is
committed to supporting the Lebanese army, by expanding its manpower, upgrading
its equipment and training, and improving service conditions, to enhance its
defensive capabilities.” He also condemned “any attack on UNIFIL,” in light of
the Feb. 15 violence on the Beirut Airport road.
Protesters — angered by the denial of landing clearance for an Iranian plane —
attacked a UNIFIL convoy heading to the airport, injuring the deputy commander
and his escort, who were both taken to the hospital. Salam said that “firm
action” will be taken to arrest and hold those responsible to account. “We are
taking all necessary measures to ensure it does not recur,” he said. Salam
commended UNIFIL’s role as a peacekeeping force in Lebanon and the south since
1978, with “many of its members sacrificing their lives to fulfill its
mission.”He praised UNIFIL’s “close cooperation with the army and Lebanese
authorities to implement UN Resolution 1701, to enhance the security and
stability of Lebanon and the south.”
On Thursday, the Government Commissioner at the Military Court, Judge Fadi
Akiki, charged 20 people, including four detainees and two minors, with
involvement in the attack on the UNIFIL convoy. The charges included “attempted
murder of the convoy’s members by burning the vehicle, assaulting the security
forces and forming a group to undermine the authority and steal money worth
$29,000 that was in the wallet of the UNIFIL deputy commander who was leaving
Lebanon and returning to his country at the end of his mission.”Following his
visit to the military barracks, Salam met with a delegation from the border town
of Dhayra.
Residents staged a protest outside the barracks to voice their suffering to the
prime minister over the Israeli forces’ incursions into their lands, especially
the destroyed southern neighborhood. Salam promised the delegation that
ministers will work to ensure “a safe return to your homes as soon as possible,
and a commitment to the reconstruction process for the residents to return with
dignity.”
He said: “Before receiving the confidence vote, the government started to
mobilize all Arab and international support to force the enemy to withdraw from
our lands and the so-called five points; There is no real and sustainable
stability without Israel’s complete withdrawal.”From Khiam, where he surveyed
the Israeli destruction, Salam said: “We will only accept the complete
withdrawal of the enemy from Lebanon, as Israel has repeatedly violated our
sovereignty and land.”In Nabatieh, several protesters criticized the prime
minister for failing to thank “the resistance and only expressing gratitude to
the army in the south.”Another protester questioned “the possibility of
reclaiming the occupied hills through dialogue.”Salam’s visit to the south
coincided with further Israeli airspace violations over Lebanon, as Hezbollah
held funerals for 130 people, including party fighters and civilians killed in
Israeli airstrikes during the recent war. Trucks
carried dozens of coffins along the road to the towns of Aitaroun and Aita
Al-Shaab on Friday. Israeli forces stationed at border positions, meanwhile,
carried out intensive patrol operations toward the outskirts of Aitaroun ahead
of the funerals.
Israeli violations also extended to the Bekaa, with aircraft flying at low
altitude over Baalbek and northern Bekaa. On Thursday, airstrikes targeted a
Hezbollah official and another person in a pickup truck in the city of Hermel,
killing both.
Later, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that one of the victims was
“Mohammed Mahdi Ali Shahin, a Hezbollah operative responsible for acquiring
combat equipment along the Syrian-Lebanese border since the Israel-Lebanon
agreements came into effect.”He added: “Shahin was one of the key members of
Hezbollah’s geographical unit overseeing Lebanon’s Bekaa region, which has
recently been focused on transferring combat equipment from Syria to Lebanon.”
Budapest Launches Support
Mechanism for Lebanese Christians
This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó launched the “Future of Lebanon from
a Christian Perspective” conference on Friday, announcing a new initiative to
support Lebanese Christians. “From Budapest, we are launching a mechanism to
develop programs that encourage Lebanese Christians to remain in their country,”
Szijjártó said. He added that the initiative aims to “create jobs and support
education, healthcare and religious institutions.”On the issue of Syrian
refugees, he urged the international community to “work towards the swift return
of Syrians to their homeland.”
Representing Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai – who could not attend due to health
reasons – Patriarchal Vicar General Bishop Boulos Sayah voiced concern over
Lebanon’s deteriorating situation. “For ten years, I attended European council
meetings, where we were assured that once Bashar al-Assad was gone, Syrians
would finally return home,” he said. “Today, Assad is gone, yet this return has
not happened.”Sayah highlighted Lebanon’s struggles, citing its geopolitical
challenges and youth emigration. He stressed that “initiatives supporting
Lebanese Christians are crucial for their survival and help restore Lebanon’s
image as a symbol of coexistence in the region.”
Lebanese Civil War: Fiftieth Anniversary
Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Lebanon is preparing to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Lebanese
Civil War, which opened wide the gates of hell on Lebanon and the Lebanese. The
war did not end when the shells and rockets stopped with the entry of the Syrian
army into Lebanon and the storming of the Baabda Palace to end Michel Aoun's
illegitimate rule. The war ended on September 27, 2024, with the termination of
Hezbollah's role. We do not consider the logic of war
and killing as a victory, nor do we depict all the bombardment that occurred
after September 27 as if it were a state of peace. We are talking about the war
in its political sense, not just its military one. The
Lebanese Civil War produced three distinct factors. The first was the militias
and weapons, particularly among the Christians, to face the Palestine Liberation
Organization, which had turned Lebanon into a base for fighting Israel. The war
ended with the disarmament of various Christian factions and the departure of
most of them, either by natural death (Pierre Gemayel and Camille Chamoun),
exile (Raymond Edde and Michel Aoun), imprisonment (Samir Geagea) or
assassination (Bachir Gemayel). However, the Christians were able, in return, to
gain certain victories, such as the departure of Yasser Arafat and confronting
Kamal Jumblatt’s leadership, which he imposed during his time before his
assassination at the hands of Syria. The second factor
was Sunni control, or what became known as political Sunniism, which produced a
governance supported by Riyadh in the Taif Agreement and by Syria during the
Syrian occupation of Lebanon. This phase effectively ended with the
assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, Syria's withdrawal from the
country and Saudi Arabia's ensuing refusal to support Lebanon in various fields
when it saw the continuing Iranian expansion in the region and its inability to
remove Bashar al-Assad from the grip of the Iranian regime.
The third factor was Shiite weaponry. Hezbollah's weapons remained after
the war, under the pretext of resisting Israel, which occupied large swathes of
land. However, the weapons were used as a pretext by the Syrians to grant the
Shia independent authority, to intimidate Sunnis and to make the Christians feel
they were subordinate, which, unfortunately, Michel Aoun contributed to by
signing the Mar Mikhael Agreement and abiding by it until the end of his mandate
as president.
The problem lies in the fact that the weapons in question replaced the Syrian
army after its withdrawal and came to be considered one of the foundations of
the state. They facilitated the taking of Beirut on May 7 and imposed the Doha
Agreement, which the current president and prime minister seek to
annul—politically and constitutionally—in an effort to rearrange matters so that
the Taif Agreement can be implemented in all its provisions. Therefore, the
assassination of Hassan Nasrallah on September 27 was not the elimination of an
individual, but rather the end of an era where Hezbollah’s weapons became the
very constitution of the Third Republic. They have been used to intimidate and
threaten the Lebanese people and to facilitate any amendments to the
constitution. On the eve of the fiftieth anniversary
of the Lebanese Civil War, the conflict has effectively ended, and its end
marked the weakening of the Shiite factions that dealt with their opponents the
way they once dealt with it. Every party in Lebanon grew bigger than the others
at some stage, but the problem was that Hezbollah grew too big. The result was
that the end of its military role also ended the entire phase of the war. The
war did not end on October 13, 1990. The war ended on September 27, 2024.
President Aoun to Asharq Al-Awsat: Only the State Can Decide on War and Peace
This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun outlined his presidential agenda in his first
televised interview on Friday, broadcast on the platforms of the Saudi newspaper
Asharq Al-Awsat and Asharq News. The president stressed that “only the state can
bear the responsibility for protecting Lebanon’s territory and people,”
reaffirming his commitment to “sovereignty.” This means that the authority to
decide on war and peace must solely rest with the state, and that the state must
maintain a monopoly on weapons.”He highlighted a consensus on implementing
Resolution 1701, asserting that “it is no longer open to debate,” while
cautioning against rushed implementation. In this
regard, President Aoun remarked that the Lebanese people are weary of wars
imposed by others, noting that “some of our friends have had enough of us,” and
stressed that “Lebanon deserves political and economic rehabilitation.” He
called for international aid and reconstruction to proceed on a “step-by-step”
basis, without being conditioned on the completion of all reforms. He pledged to
uncover the truth behind the Beirut port double-explosion and hold those
responsible accountable, asserting that “no individual, even if a brother of
mine, will be exempt.” He also promised to resolve the issue of bank deposits.
On Lebanon’s foreign relations, he emphasized that during his upcoming visit to
Riyadh, he would seek to “improve the relationship for the benefit of both
countries.” He praised the “significant Saudi effort” that helped resolve
Lebanon’s presidential vacuum, noting that Lebanon could contribute to Saudi
Arabia’s “Vision 2030,” launched by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. He added
that his visit to Riyadh next week would be one of “respect and gratitude.”Aoun
also stressed the “crucial” relationship with the US, while recognizing
Lebanon's “friendship” with Iran, but only through the state “and not through a
specific Lebanese group.” He expressed his intention to establish “equal
relations with Syria, prioritizing the return of Syrian refugees and the
demarcation and control of borders, with a focus on avoiding past mistakes.”
Man with $2.5 mn arrested at Beirut Airport
Naharnet/February 28/2025
A man was arrested Friday morning at Beirut Airport after $2.5 million were
found in his possession. Beirut airport authorities arrested Mohammad H. who
arrived aboard a Turkish Pegasus plane. The young man is being investigated
about the source of the money and its destination, amid reports that the cash
was destined for Hezbollah. Israel had claimed that
Iranian envoys and Turkish citizens had been smuggling money from Tehran and
Istanbul to Beirut. Lebanese authorities later suspended inbound and outbound
flights to Iran indefinitely after the United States, which helped broker a
November 27 Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire, warned Lebanon that Israel might shoot
the planes down. The move prompted protests from supporters of Hezbollah, who
blocked the road to the country's only international airport, while Hezbollah
chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said the government's decision to halt flights from
Iran was "implementing an Israeli order."
Israel reportedly warns of striking Dahieh if Hezbollah keeps 'smuggling arms'
Naharnet/February 28/2025
Israel has warned Lebanese authorities that it would strike deeper inside
Lebanon if Hezbollah continues to transfer arms from Syria, Al-Arabiya's
Al-Hadath channel said Friday. Al Hadath said that Israel warned it might strike
Beirut's southern suburbs "if Hezbollah keeps breaching the agreement."One
person was killed and two others were wounded when an Israeli drone targeted a
pickup truck on the outskirts of the eastern city of Hermel on Thursday. Israel
claimed it killed a Hezbollah operative who had supervised deals to purchase and
transfer combat equipment from Syria to Lebanon.
Israel continues to carry out regular strikes on Lebanese territory, accusing
Hezbollah of violating the truce.
Israel opens fire as 95 civilians and fighters killed in
war are buried in Aitaroun
Associated Press/February 28/2025
People mourned Friday, in the southern border town of Aitaroun, their loved ones
killed in Israeli airstrikes during hostilities that lasted more than a year
between Israel and Hezbollah.The 95 civilians and Hezbollah members had been
temporarily buried outside their hometown as the Israeli military remained in an
area of dozens of border towns past its withdrawal deadline. Israeli soldiers
remained in many villages south of the Litani river after a ceasefire agreement
was reached in late November and many families who wanted to bury their dead
deep in southern Lebanon were unable to do so.
The Lebanese Health Ministry and military had allocated a plot of land in the
coastal city of Tyre for bodies to be temporarily laid to rest, until the
situation near the border calms down. The trucks carrying the coffins wrapped in
Hezbollah or Lebanese flags were greeted Friday with rice and flowers on their
way to Aitaroun where an official burial was held. During the funeral, Israeli
soldiers opened fire at the village's southern outskirts.
Meanwhile, new prime minister Nawaf Salam was visiting areas near the
border that suffered wide destruction during the war to call for an Israeli
withdrawal and promised residents of border villages a safe return to their
homes and reconstruction. Hezbollah began firing
rockets across the border on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after a deadly Hamas-led
incursion into southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with
shelling and airstrikes and later escalated the conflict into a full-blown war
in late September. More than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon and more than 1
million were displaced at the height of the conflict. Israeli troops remain
today on five "strategic hills" in south Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister
Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel has received a U.S. green light to
"indefinitely" keep its forces on the hills.
Salam inspects South, says reconstruction a top priority
Naharnet/February 28/2025
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam inspected south Lebanon on Friday and said the
reconstruction of towns and homes destroyed by Israel is a top priority of his
government. Salam arrived in the South aboard an army helicopter, accompanied by
Environment Minister Tamara al-Zein. Energy Minister Joe Saddi and Public Works
Minister Fayez Rasamny also accompanied Salam on his visit.
Salam’s stops included the Lebanese Army barracks in Tyre and Marjayoun
and the southern towns of Khiam and Nabatieh. “I salute all the heroes of our
national army and its honorable martyrs. You are the epitome of honor, sacrifice
and loyalty, and the backbone of sovereignty and independence. The army is the
side in charge of defending Lebanon and on it falls the responsibility of
preserving the country’s security, protecting its people and safeguarding its
sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” Salam said at the army barracks
in Tyre.
“The Lebanese Army is fully performing its duties and boosting its deployment,
with all due insistence and firmness, in order to consolidate stability in the
South and secure the return of our people to their villages and homes. I stress
that the government will work on enabling the Lebanese Army through increasing
its personnel, equipment and training and improving its situations, in a manner
that enhance its abilities for defending Lebanon,” the PM added. Speaking to
residents from the southern town of Dhayra who rallied outside the army barracks
in Tyre, Salam told them that the reconstruction of the destroyed homes and
villages and securing a dignified return for residents is one of the
government’s top priorities. “This is not a promise, but rather a personal
commitment from me and from the government,” he added. “The government is
seeking to win residents’ confidence through deeds, not only words, and it had
started prior to winning (parliament’s) confidence to rally every possible Arab
and international support in order to compel the enemy to withdraw from our land
and the so-called five points, because there can be no real and sustainable
stability without a full Israeli withdrawal,” Salam went on to say.
UNICEF sounds alarm over 'severe food poverty' among young children in Lebanon
Agence France Presse/February 28/2025
More than one in two children under the age of two are suffering "severe food
poverty" in east Lebanon after the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the United
Nations children's agency said on Friday. A ceasefire came into effect on
November 27, putting an end to more than a year of fighting, including two
months of full-blown war between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group. But
the war destroyed large swathes of the country, particularly in the south and in
the Bekaa Valley in the east, and more than 100,000 people are still displaced,
according to the International Organization for Migration.
"In Baalbek-Hermel, more than half (51 per cent) of children under two years of
age are experiencing severe food poverty," UNICEF said in a statement.
"In Bekaa, the rate was 45 per cent, a dramatic increase from 28 per cent
in 2023," it added, defining severe food poverty as the consumption of two items
or less out of the eight key food groups. "The war has taken a shocking toll on
children, affecting almost every aspect of their lives," said UNICEF's
representative in Lebanon, Akhil Iyer. The agency said
older children were also impacted, saying 49 percent of those under 18 in the
Bekaa area and 34 percent of those in the Baalbek-Hermel area "either had not
eaten or had had only one meal on the day prior to the survey being conducted".
The survey, conducted in January, found that "72 per cent of caregivers
said their children were anxious or nervous during the war, and 62 per cent said
they were depressed or sad".Lebanon has been gripped by economic crisis since
2019, which has been aggravated by the war. The country, which recently
appointed a president and prime minister after a two-year power vacuum, has set
up a reconstruction fund, relying largely on foreign aid.
France urges Israel to respect ceasefire deal, withdraw from 5 'strategic hills'
Naharnet/February 28/2025
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called Israel to respect a November
ceasefire and withdraw from all Lebanese territories, including five "strategic
hills" where Israeli troops remain past their withdrawal deadline. Israeli
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel has received a U.S. green
light to "indefinitely" keep its forces on five strategic hills in south
Lebanon. "We received a green light from the United States and we are staying
indefinitely -- this is situation-dependent, not time-dependent," Katz said at a
conference. Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary General of the Ministry for Europe
and Foreign Affairs, confirmed Thursday that efforts were ongoing to achieve
Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Descôtes met Prime Minister Nawaf
Salam and highlighted France's efforts to achieve Israel’s withdrawal from the
five points and the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution
1701. Descôtes also stressed the importance of the role of the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon and
reiterated France's will to organize an international aid conference for
Lebanon, once the Lebanese government starts implementing reforms demanded by
international creditors in return for a desperately needed financial bailout.
26 charged over UNIFIL attack, $29,000 were stolen from vehicle
Naharnet/February 28/2025
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki has charged 26
suspects with involvement in the February 13 attack on UNIFIL forces on the
Beirut airport road. The 26 charged include five
detainees, two of whom are only 17 years old. The charges include forming a gang
of wrongdoers, attacking UNIFIL vehicles, attempted murder, terrorism and money
theft. “Thirteen people have gone into hiding since the incident and security
agencies are trying to apprehend them, after their full identities were
determined and their roles in the attack on peacekeepers were verified,” media
reports said.
“Three young men intercepted the vehicles, besieged them, hurled rocks at them
and beat up the peacekeepers, as a minor hurled Molotov bombs at a vehicle,
which went up in flames,” the reports said, citing the investigations. “Three
UNIFIL members were wounded, including the outgoing Nepalese deputy head of
mission, as $29,000 that he was carrying were stolen from a bag in the vehicle,”
the reports added. The suspects face penalties that can reach life imprisonment
with hard labor, especially that they were charged with attempting to murder
UNIFIL troops and also harming Lebanese Army soldiers. The attack took place
during demos by Hezbollah supporters who were protesting a Lebanese authorities’
decision to ban Iranian flights from landing at Beirut’s airport.
US commends Salam, wishes his government success
Naharnet/February 28/2025
The United States congratulates the people of Lebanon on “the successful
February 26 vote of confidence for the government,” the U.S. State Department
has said. “We commend Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and
wish his government success under President Joseph Aoun’s leadership,” State
Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. “For too long, the Lebanese people
were denied a governing body that could unite the country and rebuild Lebanese
state institutions,” Bruce added. “America is partnering with Lebanon’s new
government as it enacts urgently needed economic reforms, and we will continue
our support for the Lebanese Armed Forces as it implements the cessation of
hostilities,” she added.
Kanaan Calls for Reform Budget, Audited Accounts, and
Independent Justice
This is Beirut/February 28/2025
The chairman of the Finance and Budget Parliamentary Committee, MP Ibrahim
Kanaan, emphasized that implementing reforms in Lebanon's public finances
requires addressing four key areas: the tax system, the budget, financial
accounts, and public borrowing. He made these remarks during a conference on
public finance reforms at the Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA). Kanaan
explained that reforms should not be temporary but reflect a genuine commitment.
He expressed hope that the new government is ready to engage in the reform
process, assuring that Parliament will provide necessary legislative support.
The MP, who has served on the Finance Committee for 15 years, mentioned his
various initiatives and propositions to reform the public sector and public
finance management. He highlighted the need for comprehensive reform,
considering political, economic, social, and administrative challenges. He also
emphasized the central role of public finances in the functioning of the state
and its institutions. Mr Kanaan also stressed the
importance of deeply reforming the Lebanese tax system. He proposed replacing
the current system, which relies on indirect taxes, with a fairer system.
Revising direct taxes, including a single income tax, would promote greater
fairness, he noted. According to Kanaan, fiscal reform should go beyond minor
adjustments in the annual budget and form part of a broader, ambitious vision
for tax justice. The MP considered that the budget must be inclusive, covering
all state expenditures, including loans, subsidies, and funds managed by public
institutions. He noted that the budget must adhere to the Constitution, focusing
solely on approving revenue and expenditure forecasts, excluding unrelated
legislative aspects. Kanaan also stressed the
importance of financial transparency, noting that compliance with constitutional
norms, especially Article 87, is crucial for presenting financial accounts. He
referred to gaps in handling past accounts, particularly the $27 billion
discrepancy. Regarding public borrowing, Kanaan emphasized that it should align
with Article 88 of the Constitution. The text states the following: "No public
loan or commitment that may encumber the Treasury may be contracted except by
virtue of a law."He criticized borrowing through treasury bills without genuine
necessity, which contributed, according to him, to the rise in public debt. He
also discussed short-term loans granted to administrations, a practice that has
impacted Lebanon's financial stability.
World Bank Commits $250 Million to Lebanon’s $1 Billion Fund
This is Beirut/February 28/2025
The World Bank (WB) has allocated $250 million toward Lebanon’s recovery, as
confirmed by Ousmane Dione, the WB Vice President for the Middle East and North
Africa, following a meeting with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber on Friday.
Dione further emphasized the aim to secure an additional $250 million by
partnering with a group of international financiers, while working on a $2
billion project to present to the WB’s board of directors. Ongoing discussions
are taking place with several World Bank partners who have expressed interest in
funding the project. In the context of Lebanon, Dione indicated that part of the
funding may come as loans, while the remainder could be in the form of grants,
depending on the partners involved. He praised Minister Jaber for his leadership
in defining a clear path forward for Lebanon amid the nation’s challenges in
reconstruction, recovery and economic revitalization. “We discussed several
areas of mutual interest. The World Bank has supported Lebanon through its
toughest times and will continue to assist in its recovery efforts,” Dione
affirmed. He also highlighted a number of approved government and parliamentary
projects ready for implementation in key sectors such as public financial
management, water, energy and agriculture. Additionally, the Lebanon Emergency
Aid Program (LEAP) was reviewed, with the WB contributing $250 million toward
the program, while donor partners and Lebanon’s allies will provide the
remaining funds. Dione expressed confidence that these initiatives will align
with the new government’s agenda and lay a foundation for long-term progress.
The overall reform agenda was also discussed, with the WB committed to
supporting the new government through a series of sectoral reforms, focusing on
transparency and accountability. In response to questions regarding the
necessary conditions for support, Dione clarified, “The reforms needed are the
responsibility of the Lebanese government, not imposed by the World Bank or
other development partners. The required actions, however, are essential to
ensure credibility and transparency, reassuring investors and improving the
business environment, which will attract more partners for support.”
Minister Jaber expressed gratitude to Dione for his swift visit to Lebanon and
for the WB’s ongoing support for the projects Lebanon urgently needs.
Economic Organizations Applaud Decision to Reject Public Loans
This is Beirut/February 28/2025
In a statement on Friday, economic organizations, led by former Minister
Mohammad Choucair, praised Finance Minister Yassine Jaber’s decision to reject
public loans and actively address the informal economy. The organizations stated
that this decision reflects the minister’s serious commitment to controlling
public spending across various ministries, preventing waste, and managing the
budget deficit, which has been a major factor in the country’s financial
collapse. They also emphasized that tackling the informal economy has been one
of their key demands in recent years. This parallel economy undermines the
formal sector, harms competitiveness, and deprives the state of crucial tax
revenues, especially at a time when public finances are highly vulnerable. The
organizations expressed full support for Jaber in implementing these measures,
seen as fundamental pillars for ensuring the financial sustainability of the
national budget.
Hezbollah's Financing From Iran Undermined Following
Assad's Fall in Syria
Liliane Mokbel/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Hezbollah continues to pay salaries to its leaders, but the long-term
sustainability of this practice is increasingly uncertain. The challenges in
receiving Iranian funds have grown, compounded by the closure of hard drug
production facilities in Syria. The land route to transfer these funds through
Syria has been entirely shut down, and the air route is becoming more difficult
due to the ban on Iranian flights. Additionally, some Lebanese banks have
reportedly started refusing to process transfers from Hezbollah sympathizers
living abroad, fearing violations of US sanctions on the party's financial
activities, as well as the potential consequences faced by Jammal Trust Bank,
according to media reports. Sources within Hezbollah
indicate that, even if direct supply lines from Iran are severed, alternative
methods could be explored to channel funds from Tehran, particularly through
third-party countries via air. However, this option is fraught with challenges.
The priority remains securing funds for the treatment of the wounded and
providing compensation to the families of “martyrs” and those who have lost
their homes.
Hezbollah’s Economic Lifeline Paralyzed in Syria
An AFP report titled “En Syrie, l'ex-artère économique du Hezbollah passe sous
contrôle des autorités” (In Syria, Hezbollah's former economic artery comes
under government control), reported on Wednesday that in the Qusayr region of
Homs province, in eastern Syria, the new Syrian authorities launched a campaign
last week to crack down on smuggling along the porous Syrian-Lebanese border.
They accuse Hezbollah, an ally of former President Bashar al-Assad—who was
ousted on December 8 after ruling Syria with an iron fist for 24 years—of
backing networks involved in drug and arms trafficking. Commander Nadim
Madkhaneh, responsible for border security, told AFP from the village of Hawik,
just a few hundred meters from the Lebanese border, “We’re starting to search
the factories used by Hezbollah and the former regime.” This region, bordering
the Beqaa Valley—Hezbollah’s stronghold in eastern Lebanon—is lined with
numerous smuggling routes that have been in use for decades, as Syria refused to
demarcate its 330-kilometer border with Lebanon during the Assad years. In April
2013, during the Syrian civil war ignited by the violent crackdown on
anti-government protests, Hezbollah declared its military support for Bashar
al-Assad, particularly in Qusayr, which was then a rebel stronghold. A few weeks
later, after fierce fighting that displaced thousands of Syrians, Hezbollah and
Assad’s forces seized control of the region, and Hezbollah gradually set up
headquarters, centers, tunnels and weapons storage there.
Dismantling
“Under the former regime, this area was the economic lifeline for Hezbollah and
traffickers of drugs and weapons,” Madkhaneh explained. In the building that was
raided, AFP journalists saw bags containing Captagon pills and equipment which,
according to Madkhaneh, were used to manufacture this amphetamine, produced on
an industrial scale under Bashar al-Assad. Abandoned plates in the kitchen
suggested the occupants had fled in a hurry. Madkhaneh also mentioned that
Syrian forces recently clashed with armed men “loyal to Hezbollah and the former
regime.” Burned-out vehicles and damaged buildings along the Hawik roads bear
testimony to the intensity of the fighting. In addition to dismantling drug
factories, Madkhaneh claims his forces are also targeting the activities of arms
and goods traffickers. Syrian security forces are coordinating their efforts
with the Lebanese army, which announced last week that it had reinforced its
deployment along the northeastern border. In December, Hezbollah leader Naim
Qassem acknowledged that the fall of Assad had deprived his movement of its
military supply route through Syria.
From Father to Son, from Beirut to the Louvre, the Epic of
the Abou Adal Icons
Bélinda Ibrahim/This Is Beirut/February 28/2025
"Archangel Michael" &"Saint George and scenes from his life". ©Julien Vidal /
Musée du Louvre/ The prestigious Abou Adal collection, comprising 272 Eastern
Christian icons from the 15th to the 20th century, is joining the future
Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Arts at the Louvre. This major
acquisition, the result of a family passion, transforms the Parisian museum into
a global reference center for icon art. The extraordinary journey of the Abou
Adal collection began in the early 1950s, in a Lebanon then regarded as the
“Switzerland of the Middle East.” Georges Abou Adal, driven by a curiosity for
Eastern sacred art, acquired his first icons in 1952. What started as a personal
interest quickly turned into a passionate quest to preserve and document an
artistic heritage that was largely unknown in the West.
Between 1952 and 1970, Georges Abou Adal passionately assembled an
exceptional collection of icons. This passion, passed down as a precious legacy,
was carried forward with the same fervor by his son, Freddy Abou Adal.
Understanding the importance of his father’s legacy, Freddy carefully expanded
the collection in the 1990s, actively participating in international public
auctions at a time when the market for Eastern religious art was experiencing a
resurgence. Under his direction, the collection was enriched with rare and
significant works, filling certain chronological and geographical gaps.
An Exceptional Collection
What fundamentally distinguishes the Abou Adal collection is its remarkable
geographical and chronological diversity. With its 272 works spanning five
centuries, it offers an unparalleled panorama of the different schools and
traditions of Eastern Christian iconography.
Greek icons stand alongside those from the Balkans, while Russian works converse
with those from Transylvania and Wallachia. The collection includes rare
examples of 15th-century Cretan icons, reflecting Venetian influence, Balkan
pieces with Ottoman influences, and important works in the “Brâncovenesc” style
of Wallachia – a unique fusion of Byzantine and Western elements.
However, the true uniqueness of this collection lies in its significant
ensemble of Levantine and Melkite icons. Acquired mostly before the landmark
exhibition at the Nicolas Sursock Museum in Beirut in 1969, these works offer an
exceptional testimony to the Arabophone Christian art of Syria, Lebanon and
Jerusalem in the 17th and 18th centuries. They illustrate the artistic revival
that accompanied the resurgence of the Greek Patriarchate of Antioch,
particularly in the workshops of Aleppo – a commercial and cultural crossroads
between East and West. The collection also stands out
for its abundance of signed works by identified artists, including renowned
masters such as Michael Damaskinos and the brothers Georgios and Frangos
Kontaris. This characteristic – rare in the realm of icons, where anonymity was
often the norm – adds historical and documentary value to the ensemble.
Among the collection’s masterpieces, several stand out for their iconographic
rarity or exceptional quality. A large icon depicting the First Council of
Nicaea (325 AD) is an absolute rarity. Likely created in the 17th century, this
work illustrates the gathering of the 318 Church Fathers who established the
Nicene Creed, the doctrinal foundation of Christianity. Emperor Constantine is
depicted at the center, surrounded by bishops from across the Roman Empire,
defining the divine nature of Christ in response to the Arian heresy.
Equally remarkable is the “Feast of Orthodoxy” icon, commemorating the
restoration of the veneration of images after the iconoclastic crisis that
afflicted the Byzantine Empire between 726 and 843. This work celebrates the
triumph of the defenders of icons and serves as a theological justification for
the representation of the divine.The collection also includes several
“vita-icons,” where the central image of the saint is surrounded by narrative
scenes illustrating key episodes of their life. One dedicated to Saint James the
Persian, a 5th-century martyr beheaded for refusing to renounce his Christian
faith, presents twelve scenes of his torment with striking meticulousness.
Depictions of the Stylite Saints, Simeon the Elder and Simeon the Younger, are
another gem of the collection. These ascetics, who lived atop pillars (stylos in
Greek) to draw closer to heaven and distance themselves from earthly
temptations, are particularly venerated in the Syriac tradition. Their
representations reflect the hagiographic revival of the 17th century, aimed at
promoting local sanctuaries and revitalizing pilgrimages.
Two Decisive Museum Milestones
Before its acquisition by the Louvre, the Abou Adal collection experienced two
pivotal moments that introduced it to the public and the scientific community.
The first major exhibition took place in 1993 at the Carnavalet Museum in
Paris. Titled Arab Icons: Christian Art of the Levant, it was a revelation for
many visitors, showcasing Eastern Christian art for the first time. The catalog,
written by international specialists, significantly contributed to the academic
recognition of these works, which had long been considered marginal in Byzantine
art history.
In 1997, the Museum of Art and History in Geneva hosted a more comprehensive
exhibition of the collection, expanding the focus to include various represented
schools. This event, accompanied by a major international symposium, allowed for
stylistic and iconographic comparisons between different traditions and refined
the chronology of certain works. Since these
foundational exhibitions, many pieces from the collection have been loaned for
thematic events and have been extensively studied in scholarly publications.
Renowned researchers such as Mat Immerzeel, Virgil Cândea and Agnès-Mariam de la
Croix have helped contextualize these works within the complex history of
Eastern Christian communities and their interactions with surrounding cultures.
The Louvre's acquisition of the Abou Adal collection marks a decisive
step in the recognition of post-Byzantine art, long marginalized by Western
historiography. It also represents a cornerstone of the future Department of
Byzantine Arts and Eastern Christianities, set to open in 2027 within the
prestigious Parisian museum. This innovative
department, bringing together nearly 20,000 works, will illustrate the richness
and diversity of Christian artistic expressions across a vast territory
stretching from Ethiopia to Russia, from the Balkans to the Middle East. It will
transcend traditional divisions between Byzantine, post-Byzantine and Eastern
Christian art, offering a cross-cultural and comparative perspective on these
traditions.
The Abou Adal collection will play a fundamental role in complementing existing
holdings and recent acquisitions since 2022. It will help establish
chronological and stylistic bridges with older works already in the museum’s
collection, such as the 8th-century Christ and Abbot Mena icon discovered in
Bawit, Middle Egypt. To highlight the significance of
this acquisition and lay the scholarly foundations of the future department, an
international symposium titled In Flesh and Gold: Perspectives on the Icon,
15th–20th Century will be held jointly by the Louvre, the Collège de France and
the École du Louvre on April 7–8, 2025. Experts from the United States, Europe
and the Middle East will participate. When the
Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Arts opens in 2027, visitors from
around the world will be able to admire these icons, where the golden light
converses with the depth of the gazes – witnessing a millennia-old quest to
depict the undepictable.
Beirut Strangled by Traffic: The Poisonous Effects on the City and Its Residents
Karl Hajj Moussa/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Beirut faces relentless congestion, affecting its residents daily. More than a
million vehicles clog its narrow streets, posing a major challenge to the
environment, public health and the economy. It is 8AM in Beirut, and the city is
already gridlocked. More than a million cars navigate the capital’s streets each
day—a staggering number for a city of less than 20 square kilometers. Narrow
roads, poorly synchronized traffic lights, and the lack of alternative transport
solutions fuel daily chaos. This relentless and exasperating congestion is more
than just an inconvenience, it poses a serious challenge to the quality of life,
public health and economy. As Lebanon undergoes a political transition, tackling
traffic issues remains a key priority.
A Complicated Issue
Traffic congestion in Beirut is primarily driven by the excessive use of private
vehicles. With no viable public transport alternatives, residents have little
choice but to rely on their cars, further jamming the gridlock. Additionally,
poor traffic management—characterized by poorly synchronized signals, frequent
traffic violations and illegal parking—slows movement and worsens bottlenecks.
Another key factor is the weakness of the public transportation system.
The bus network, limited and poorly maintained, is widely considered unreliable
and fails to provide a viable alternative for many residents. Peripheral areas,
poorly served by public transport, force commuters to rely on their cars to
reach the city center, further exacerbating congestion. The absence of a metro
or urban rail system makes driving nearly unavoidable, even for short trips.
Moreover, the city’s road infrastructure has not kept pace with rapid population
growth. Deteriorating roads and a lack of facilities for pedestrians and
cyclists only add to the problem. Finally, Beirut’s
unplanned urban expansion has significantly worsened traffic congestion. New
residential and commercial developments have been built without adequate
consideration for transportation needs, leaving existing infrastructure unable
to cope with the rising number of vehicles.
A Threat to Beirut's Air Quality
Maher Abboud, an air quality expert, tells This is Beirut that “traffic
congestion is not just a circulation problem, it harms both our health and the
planet.” According to him, “road traffic is the primary source of pollution due
to an aging vehicle fleet and high vehicle density.” In fact, these cars emit
pollutants such as “fine particles, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide
(CO), which degrade air quality and increase the risk of respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases,” he adds. Abboud further
explains that “Beirut, with its narrow streets and high-rise buildings, creates
an urban canyon where pollutants are trapped, preventing their diffusion.” This
phenomenon is particularly evident during rush hours, when traffic peaks.
“Residents are continuously exposed to polluted air, whether they are outside or
inside their homes or offices, which affects their quality of life.”
The expert also warns about the rising levels of greenhouse gases. He explains
that “heavy traffic emits large quantities of CO₂, as well as gases such as
methane and nitrogen oxides, aggravating the greenhouse effect. Beirut is thus
becoming a contributor to global climate change. This underscores the urgent
need for sustainable transport solutions.”
A Double Trap for Residents
Jean-Paul Khairallah, a member of the International Committee of Medical
Students in Lebanon (LeMSIC), emphasizes that “traffic congestion in Beirut has
a direct impact on the health of its residents.” In an interview with This is
Beirut, he explains that “vehicles emit pollutants such as fine particles,
nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which enter the lungs and cause
respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic bronchitis, while also increasing
the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.”In this context, the public
health expert underlines the urgency of taking action, stressing that “health
hazards related to air pollution are not limited to adults but also affect the
development of young people.” He adds, “Such grave impacts on health highlight
the need for a comprehensive approach aimed at reducing long-term health
risks.”In addition to the physical effects, the stress caused by traffic has
consequences for mental health. “Frustration and nervousness due to traffic jams
can lead to disorders such as anxiety or depression. Also, exposure to constant
traffic noise disrupts sleep, affecting concentration and increasing
irritability,” according to Khairallah.
An economic burden
Interviewed by This is Beirut, economic expert Jassem Ajjaka stresses “the
serious economic consequences of traffic jams in the capital”, the cost of which
is estimated at “almost 2 billion dollars a year”. In particular, he points to
“excess fuel consumption, since vehicles travelling slowly in traffic jams use
much more fuel than when they are moving normally”. The expert also stresses
“the loss of time, which directly affects the productivity of workers,
particularly those paid by the hour or self-employed.” “This loss of earnings
contributes to a reduction in GDP”, comments Ajjaka.He points to another
economic impact: Traffic jams accelerate wear and tear on road infrastructure
and vehicles, generating additional costs for their maintenance.Clearly, the
city can no longer afford to ignore the urgent need to reinvent its urban
transport. Beirut deserves better than a future blocked by traffic jams.
Saudi support vital if Lebanon is to rise again
Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib/Arab News/February 28, 2025
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is due to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday. As did
Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the new president of Syria, Aoun is making the Kingdom his
first foreign destination to send a message and make a show of commitment:
Lebanon is back in the Arab fold. Just as Syria was
under Iran’s influence during Bashar Assad’s rule, Lebanon experienced the same
through Hezbollah. Now, both countries are back to their natural environment.
The Lebanese have high expectations from Saudi Arabia. After the civil
war, Lebanon was able to rise due to the Kingdom’s help. Riyadh offered
political, diplomatic and financial assistance to the war-torn country. However,
this role slowly started to decrease following the assassination of former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, with the role of Iran starting to increase.
Hezbollah’s grip on power was a gateway for Iranian influence. This led one
Iranian official to say that Beirut was one of four Arab capitals controlled by
Tehran. However, this Iranian influence did not bring
with it any stability or growth. When Lebanon was under Iranian control, there
was no effort put into state-building and no room for economic prosperity. Iran
spread its influence through chaos rather than stability. A strong state would
have been a deterrent to its influence. Hence, state institutions were weakened,
while the clientelist network of politicians was strengthened. Lebanon became a
rogue state where the black economy was the main source of funds in the country.
It became a center for money laundering and drug production and trafficking.This
is supposed to change as Iran’s influence dwindles. In the ministerial
declaration that constitutes the government’s work plan for the coming period,
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanon must “neutralize” its involvement
in any “axis conflicts.” He was referring to the Iranian axis. Also, when an
Iranian delegation visited Lebanon to attend Sunday’s funeral of Hasan
Nasrallah, it met with the president. Aoun told them that Lebanon cannot be a
battleground for other people’s wars. Lebanon is clearly detaching itself from
the Iranian axis. The country is returning to the Arab fold. However, what does
that mean? Lebanon is clearly detaching itself from
the Iranian axis. The country is returning to the Arab fold
The president and the prime minister have both made promises — to the Lebanese
people, to Arab states and to the international community. They promised the
Lebanese reforms and a prosperous economy. They also promised to disarm all
militias. This means they will disarm Hezbollah. While they promised the
disarmament of the militias, they also vowed to liberate the country from the
Israeli occupation. They also assured the Lebanese that the reconstruction of
the south would take place.
The president’s visit to Saudi Arabia comes in the wake of the ministerial
declaration and parliament’s confirmation of Salam’s Cabinet. Aoun should head
to Riyadh with a working plan. He should also have specific demands. Neither
Aoun nor Salam will be able to execute what they stated in their addresses
unless Lebanon gets support from outside, particularly Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon cannot get Israel to withdraw on its own. The most it can do is to file
a complaint with the UN Security Council. However, this is unlikely to create
any pressure on Israel or drive it to leave the country. The Lebanese army is no
match for the Israeli army. Also, Lebanon has no real leverage on the US or
Europe. The leverage that Lebanon had before was related to the fact it hosted
1.5 million Syrian refugees and Europe did not want them to cross the
Mediterranean and reach its shores. Now, because the war has ended, the Syrian
refugees can go back to Syria.
The Trump administration will not pressure Israel to fully withdraw from
Lebanon. Lebanon relies on pressure from friendly states that want the country
to be stable. Hence, the crucial role of Saudi Arabia, given its weight on the
global stage. This would not be the first time that Saudi Arabia had saved
Lebanon from Israeli claws. In 1982, the Kingdom was key in brokering a
ceasefire and pushing Israel to withdraw from Beirut. Lebanon relies on Saudi
diplomatic and political support. And a full Israeli withdrawal is essential if
the country is to be stable.
However, Saudi Arabia no longer offers a blank check. Any aid will be
conditional on a set of structural reforms. In order
to have stability, Lebanon also needs security guarantees. Israel should not be
able to invade Lebanese airspace as it pleases and hit targets wherever it
wants. Sustained stability is a prerequisite for reconstruction. While in
Riyadh, the Lebanese president will definitely ask for funds for reconstruction.
The reconstruction of the south is essential for the state to co-opt the Shiite
community and preserve civil peace.
However, Saudi Arabia no longer offers a blank check. Even if Lebanon is no
longer under Iranian tutelage, the Saudi leadership is not ready to offer cash
that will go down the drain of corruption. Any aid will be conditional on a set
of structural reforms. This not only means confronting Hezbollah but also the
entire political class that has governed the country for the last 30 years.
Here, the current government will have to take some bold steps that could
involve risks. Despite the apparent endorsement of the
new government by the political establishment, in view of the vote of confidence
of the Cabinet, a clash could occur if the political class’s privileges are
targeted. However, this clash might be the surgical intervention needed to save
the failing state. Again, the Aoun-Salam leadership cannot take such a bold step
unless it has the endorsement of a strong player. Again, Lebanon has no one to
turn to but Saudi Arabia. Lebanon will present many requests to Saudi Arabia,
but in order to get any of them the new leadership has to prove it can deliver.
• Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib is a specialist in US-Arab relations with a focus on
lobbying. She is co-founder of the Research Center for Cooperation and Peace
Building, a Lebanese nongovernmental organization focused on Track II.
Amyli Shiism vs. Khomeini
Shiism
Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al-Watan/February
28, 2025
(Free translation from Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140755/
Shiite political jurisprudence, in its essence, has historically leaned toward
adopting a civil authority—meaning a non-religious governance system. This
principle is rooted in the belief that "people need a ruler, whether righteous
or wicked." Even usurped authority—one that exists in the absence of its
legitimate owners—is seen as the lesser of two evils. Thus, Amyli Shiism never
sought to impose a political project on society. Had this doctrine prevailed,
Shiism would have been reconciled with the principles of modern political
thought, embracing the concept of the civil state.
Then came Khomeini. Exploiting the deep-seated tensions between Shiite jurists
and ruling authorities—historically perceived as oppressive—he found in these
grievances the perfect vehicle to establish his own rule. Khomeini capitalized
on historical ambiguities, reviving dormant sectarian narratives to serve his
political ambitions. In doing so, he overturned the established trajectory of
Amyli Shiism, which had always gravitated toward a civil state. Determined to
dismantle this tradition, he manufactured what can be termed "Khomeini Shiism"—a
doctrine designed to monopolize political, economic, and social power under the
guise of religious sanctity.
Khomeini manipulated the concept of the absent Mahdi, positioning himself as the
ultimate authority in his absence. Whereas Shiite history recognized a minor
occultation—where special deputies maintained an indirect link between the
Shiites and their Imam—and a major occultation, which severed this connection,
Khomeini Shiism emerged as a system obsessed with consolidating power under the
pretense of divine legitimacy.
In Amyli Shiism, religious knowledge and legal rulings are derived strictly from
scholarly interpretation of sacred texts. In Khomeini Shiism, however, "our
religion is our politics, and our politics is our religion." This transformation
granted the jurist unchecked authority, intertwining religious doctrine with
absolute political control.
Under Amyli Shiism, the jurist acts as a legal scholar—a public prosecutor
qualified to issue religious rulings and fatwas—but does not claim direct
governance. Khomeini Shiism, however, transformed the Imam’s deputy into a
ruler, embedding religious authority within the structures of power.
In Amyli Shiism, there is no concept of "guardianship of the jurist"; rather,
the jurist's role is limited to advising and restricting the authority of the
temporal ruler within the framework of a civil state. In contrast, Khomeini
Shiism established absolute guardianship of the jurist, granting him unchecked
control over all aspects of governance under the claim of divine appointment,
while citizens were relegated to passive subjugation—forever awaiting the
Mahdi’s return.
Amyli Shiism prioritizes the preservation of order, the establishment of a state
based on civic principles, and the well-being of society, where the nation
governs itself. Khomeini Shiism, on the other hand, is built on the absolute
preservation of clerical rule—no matter the cost. Its foundation is the doctrine
of "Hezbollah’s nation," "Hezbollah’s state," and "Hezbollah’s religion"—a
system in which neither individual dignity nor societal stability holds any
value. It is a doctrine that demands blind submission, crushing any hope for a
state that prioritizes the people's interests over the ambitions of a
self-serving theocracy.
Lebanon May Be Ready for Peace With Israel. Both Sides Need
to Prepare
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Haaretz/February 28/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/02/140724/
With Hezbollah sidelined, both Israelis and Lebanese must start thinking beyond
security and cease-fire arrangements and start saying the word peace, louder and
louder. The more the P word is uttered, the more normal it becomes
Ask any Lebanese and they will tell you that the vibe in the country has
drastically changed since September. Just this week Lebanese President Joseph
Aoun told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Lebanon is tired of “the
wars of others on its territory” this week.
Beirut has aligned itself with Saudi Arabia’s peace initiative for a two-state
solution between the Palestinians and Israel, in direct opposition to Iran’s
policies. Aoun was, in effect, telling his Iranian guest that Lebanon will not
war with Israel anymore, a message that his Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
reiterated before parliament on Tuesday. While much of
the discourse on Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral has centered around how many
thousands attended, it’s clear that the crowd was much smaller than the
Iran-backed militia could have mustered two years ago. Hezbollah is weaker and
facing trouble maintaining its supporters’ loyalty after sacrificing their
houses and livelihoods for war with Israel. From the
statements of Hezbollah’s uncharismatic new chief Naim Qassem, we can infer that
the militia has a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, Hezbollah will now
defer to the state on dealing with Israel. On the other hand, the militia is
trying to replenish its empty coffers and likely trying to secretly reorganize
its fighting force. Deferring to the state kills two
birds with one stone. First, Hezbollah can deflect Shi’ite anger back onto the
government. And second, once the militia has rebounded, the organization can
argue that the state failed in forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Thus, Hezbollah will have to take matters into its own hands.
Until Hezbollah rebounds, if it ever does, and while Hezbollah is too weak and
its base too restless, it’s time to make peace. The
Lebanese who seek peace with Israel have an opportunity to make their case in
the upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for May 2026. It helps that for
the first time since Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, the U.S. sounds
serious about pushing for bilateral peace between Lebanon and Israel.
From a political perspective, currently, Hezbollah and its junior ally
the Amal Party occupy exactly the 27 seats allocated for Shiites in the 128-seat
parliament. The speaker of the parliament too must be Shi’ite. Those who oppose
Hezbollah and advocate peace must only win over one of these Shi’ite seats in
order to oust Shi’ite Amal Party Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
If they manage to pull off such a feat, parliament will be ripe to revive the
May 1983 peace treaty with Israel, which parliament ratified but Syria’s
then-President Hafez Assad killed. Indeed, long before
the Abraham Accords were fashionable, Lebanon was technically the second Arab
country, after Egypt, to sign a peace deal with Israel.
Both Aoun and Salam have promised to enforce UN Security Council
Resolution 1701, as stipulated by the November 2024 cease-fire with Israel,
which was agreed to also by Berri and Hezbollah. According to this resolution,
Lebanon must disarm Hezbollah and demarcate its border with Israel once and for
all. Then, all outstanding issues between the two
neighboring countries will have been resolved. The remaining 110,000 Palestinian
refugees, sometimes used as an excuse to hold back on Lebanese peace with
Israel, are the responsibility of the UN and could be resettled in a third
country.
Aoun and Salam have both said that Beirut will toe the Saudi line regarding the
two-state solution, which in the Palestinian context means more war, but for
Lebanon can mean diplomacy with Israel. Another
impetus propelling Lebanon towards peace is economic. The size of the Israeli
economy is 21 times that of its Lebanese counterpart. This can rally Lebanese
citizens to demand a bilateral peace with Israel and access a piece of the pie.
Normalization serves Lebanon’s national interests, regardless of the Arab League
and the Palestinian situation.
Since September, sentiments have changed rapidly and many Lebanese have been
calling for peace. Behind closed doors, the intelligentsia – politicians,
intellectuals and activists – have been strategizing on how best to push for
peace. Ideas include decriminalizing contact between the Lebanese and Israelis
to promote cross-border discourse. Other ideas include encouraging tying foreign
aid for Lebanon with steps toward peace with Israel.
The mere discussion of these ideas would have been anathema a short while ago.
But Beirut is now envisioning a future akin to Dubai, aspiring to mirror the
prosperous growth of the United Arab Emirates. Mimicking its policies –
including normalizing ties with the Jewish state – has been debated in Lebanon
for long. What remains missing is a national Lebanese discussion over peace with
Israel, which has started, albeit still shy of endorsement.
On Tuesday, Lebanese channel MTV uttered the P word, which has been so far
politically toxic. The network raised a question whether peace was coming but
included the caveat on whether Israel wants it. Until very recently, the same
channel used to refer to Israel as “the Israeli enemy” and to the land across
the border with Lebanon “occupied Palestine.”Meanwhile, Druze MP Wael AbuFaour
said that U.S. officials have indeed raised the prospect of bilateral peace
between Lebanon and Israel with top Lebanese officials, but added that “those
who oppose peace are more than those who support it,” and that forcing opponents
to accept peace would lead to “a clash.” He thus suggested that Lebanon stick to
a permanent truce with Israel without going the extra step of signing a peace
treaty until there may be sufficient popular support.
It will take some time until debating Lebanon’s peace with Israel becomes
normal. Until that happens, one must appreciate that peace is not rejected
anymore as an act of treason, like it used to be until at least November.
Lebanon is not on the cusp of signing a peace treaty with Israel, but it
is certainly in the right direction. Hezbollah is scheduled to be disarmed,
outstanding issues are scheduled to be resolved, and – while Hezbollah is weak
and wounded – the country has a great window of opportunity for peace.
Both Israelis and Lebanese must start thinking beyond security and
cease-fire arrangements and start saying the word peace, louder and louder. The
more the P word is uttered, the more normal it becomes, the closer we inch
toward normalization.
*Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at The Foundation for the Defense of
Democracies (FDD).
An Open Letter to
Presidents Aoun and Salam: Lebanon Needs More Than Statements
Ambassador Dr. Hisham Hamdan/February 28/2025
We have heard the statements attributed to Presidents Aoun and Salam during
their meeting with the Iranian delegation that participated, on behalf of Iran,
in the funeral of Hezbollah’s two former Secretary-Generals in Lebanon. We
consider the demand to halt foreign interference in our internal affairs a
significant and commendable stance in national politics. However, it is not a
new one. Previous presidents, notably Rafik Hariri and Michel Suleiman, also
called for an end to Iranian interference in our country. The former paid the
ultimate price with his life for his stance, while the latter endured an erosion
of his dignity when he was described as needing guardianship. Dealing with Iran
should not be done with soft gloves. We tell Presidents Aoun and Salam that we
want Iran to compensate Lebanon for the losses, destruction, and conflicts it
has caused among our citizens. Iran is responsible for the extensive bloodshed
in the country for over two decades. It is accountable for the devastation,
social fragmentation, rampant corruption, plundering of resources, the migration
of thousands of skilled workers, the collapse of the national economy, and the
growing distance between members of the same families. Lebanon has lost immense
talents that have emigrated and established their lives abroad, contributing to
foreign nations instead of their homeland. Iran has deprived us of our children
and tarnished our country’s reputation, turning Lebanon—once a beacon of
enlightenment—into a hub for terrorism, organized crime, drug production, and
the export of afflictions. We will not allow our people to bear the burden of
reforms at the expense of their own resources, their children, and future
generations.
International aid must be directed toward development, not merely the
reconstruction of destruction. We seek it to achieve structural and economic
reforms that improve our daily lives, not to rebuild what Iran’s interventions
have destroyed through its violations of our sovereignty and its deliberate,
relentless aggression against us. Iran should be the one to rebuild what its
weapons have demolished, having deceived our good-hearted people under the guise
of religion and allegiance to the Supreme Leader.
We reject the notion that international aid is a gift to Lebanon, a donation for
peace. What the international community pays is a rightful compensation for the
years of global wars fought on our land. We want the presidents to raise their
voices boldly, asserting that Lebanon and its people—who have endured tremendous
suffering—were the ones who shaped the new Middle East and are now opening the
door to peace. While the Israeli-American war machine may have brought change to
those in power, Lebanon was the battleground that these power players used and
the one that endured the military strikes as a result. The UN Security Council
abandoned Lebanon, adopting resolutions on paper while neglecting its duty to
implement them and protect the sovereignty of a country that was a founding
member of the United Nations. The presence of radical forces in Lebanon was
never a national decision but rather the result of an occupying force’s will.
Hafez al-Assad was the one who allowed the establishment of Iran’s Revolutionary
Guard branch in Lebanon in 1982, giving rise to Hezbollah, under the watchful
eyes of the American and French multinational forces. He supported and imposed
Hezbollah on the Lebanese people following the Taif Agreement, all with
Western-American and Arab complicity, silence, and even blessing. We understand
that those nations acted in their own interests. Likewise, we must act in ours.
We affirm that we will not remain silent about any hesitation in demanding
justice for our country and people. Our support for this administration and
government is based on this. There will be no peace in Lebanon after conflict
without justice.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on February 28-March 01/2025
Ramadan Crescent moon sighted; first day of holy month on Saturday
Rashid Hassan/Arab News/February 28, 2025
RIYADH: The crescent moon signaling the start of Ramadan on Saturday has been
sighted in Saudi Arabia, the moon sighting committee has announced. Following
the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday evening, the holy month of Ramadan,
the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, will begin on March 1, Saturday,
the Supreme Court announced. The crescent sighting was observed across the
Kingdom in observatories including Sudair and Tumair. The Supreme Court on
Thursday called on all Muslims in Saudi Arabia to sight the Ramadan crescent on
Friday evening. The court has said anyone who sights the Ramadan crescent with
their eyes or through binoculars should notify the nearest court to their
location and record their testimony there, or contact the nearest center so that
they can be directed to the nearest court. Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting
committee usually observes the moon in the days leading up to the expected start
date of Ramadan, but they have encouraged other Muslims who wish to sight the
moon to do so as well. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking
from sunrise to sunset as part of the Islamic ritual that aims to encourage
patience, charity, and community welfare. It is the month of blessing in which
the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Month-long fasting, from dawn
to dusk, is one of the five pillars of Islam. On the auspicious occasion of
Ramadan, Muslims mark a turning point of their life where they aim to improve
their spirituality, break bad habits instead of putting them on pause,
supplicate, heal, give charity, sleep less, pray more and increase imaan – or
faith – during this month of forgiveness.
Trump shouts at Zelensky as he and Vance berate Ukrainian leader as
‘disrespectful’
AP/February 28, 2025
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump shouted at Ukraine’s leader on Friday during
an extraordinary meeting in the Oval Office, berating President Volodymyr
Zelensky for “gambling with millions of lives” and suggesting his actions could
trigger World War III. The last 10 minutes of the nearly 45-minute engagement
devolved into a tense back and forth between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and
Zelensky — who had urged skepticism about Russia’s commitment to diplomacy,
citing Moscow’s years of broken commitments on the global stage. It began with
Vance telling Zelensky, “Mr. President, with respect. I think it’s disrespectful
for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the
American media.”Zelensky tried to object, prompting Trump to raise his voice and
say, “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.”“You’re gambling
with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country,
this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should
have,” Trump said. It was an astonishing display of open antagonism in the Oval
Office, a setting better known for somber diplomacy. Trump laid bare his efforts
to coerce Zelensky to agree to giving the US an interest in his country’s
valuable minerals and to push him toward a diplomatic resolution to the war on
the American leader’s terms.Earlier in the meeting Trump said the US would
continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but said he hoped that not
too much aid would be forthcoming. “We’re not looking forward to sending a lot
of arms,” Trump said. “We’re looking forward to getting the war finished so we
can do other things.”Trump suggested that Zelensky wasn’t in a position to be
demanding concessions. “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards
right now,” Trump said pointing his finger toward Zelensky. “With us you start
having cards.”He also accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” to the US“It’s
going to be a very hard thing to do business like this,” Trump told Zelensky at
one point, as the two leaders talked over each other about past international
support for Ukraine. “Again, just say thank you,” Vance interjected to Zelensky,
blasting him for litigating “disagreements” in front of the press. Trump,
though, suggested he was fine with the drama. “I think it’s good for the
American people to see what’s going on,” he added. “You’re not acting at all
thankful,” Trump said, before adding, “This is going to be great television.”The
harsh words came at a pivotal and precarious moment for Ukraine. Zelensky had
planned to try to convince the White House to provide some form of US backing
for Ukraine’s security against any future Russian aggression. Zelensky is still
expected to sign a landmark economic agreement with the US aimed at financing
the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two
countries together for years to come.
The deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references
the importance of Ukraine’s security. Earlier in the meeting, before tempers
flared, Trump said the agreement would be signed soon in the East Room of the
White House. “We have something that is a very fair deal,” Trump said, adding,
“It is a big commitment from the United States.”He said the US wants to see the
killing in the war stopped, adding that US money for Ukraine should be “put to
different kinds of use like rebuilding.”Earlier, Zelensky called Russian
President Vladimir Putin a terrorist and told Trump that Ukraine and the world
need “no compromises with a killer.”“Even during the war there are rules,” he
said. As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia’s
larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a
potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country’s
future security.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace — especially one that makes
too many concessions to Russian demands — would allow Moscow to rearm and
consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press,
the US and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to
which Ukraine will contribute 50 percent of future revenues from natural
resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.
Speaking about the rare earths agreement, Trump said the US is lacking in many
such minerals while Ukraine has among the best on the planet. He said US
interests plan to take those reserves and use them on everything from artificial
intelligence operations to military weapons.
Asked about long-term security guarantee to guard against future Russian
aggression, Trump says once the agreement is signed that a return to fighting
was unlikely. Trump, a Republican, has framed the emerging agreement as a chance
for Kyiv to compensate the US for wartime aid sent under his predecessor,
Democratic President Joe Biden. But Zelensky has remained firm that specific
assurances for Ukraine’s security must accompany any agreement giving US access
to Ukraine’s resources. This is Zelensky’s fifth White House visit, but his
previous four came during the Biden administration. The Ukrainian president also
was meeting with US senators during his time in Washington. Fears that Trump
could broker a peace deal with Russia that is unfavorable to Ukraine have been
amplified by recent precedent-busting actions by his administration. Trump held
a lengthy phone call with Putin, and US officials met with their Russian
counterparts in Saudi Arabia without inviting European or Ukrainian leaders —
both dramatic breaks with previous US policy to isolate Putin over his invasion.
Trump later seemed to falsely blame Ukraine for starting the war, and called
Zelensky a “dictator” for not holding elections after the end of his regular
term last year, though Ukrainian law prohibits elections while martial law is in
place.
Hamas
urges pressure on Israel to start next phase of Gaza ceasefire
Agence France Presse/March 01, 2025
Hamas on Friday urged the international community to pressure Israel to enter
the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire "without delay", a day before the first
phase expires. "We call on the international community to pressure the Zionist
occupation (Israel) to fully commit to its role in the agreement and immediately
enter the second phase of the agreement without any delay or prevarication,"
Hamas said in a statement.
Israeli PM Netanyahu to hold security meeting after delegation returns from
Cairo
Reuters/March 01, 2025
CAIRO/JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to hold
consultations with security chiefs and ministers on Friday after an Israeli
delegation returned from Cairo with no agreement on extending the Gaza
ceasefire, two Israeli officials said. A Hamas official confirmed that Israel
had sought to extend the 42-day truce agreed as a first stage in the ceasefire
agreement through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins this
weekend. But he said Hamas wanted to move on to negotiations over the second
stage, opening the way to a permanent end to the war.
“We are committed to the agreement,” said the official, who spoke on condition
of anonymity. Egyptian and Qatari mediators asked for some time over the next
few days to resolve the impasse over the ceasefire, which is due to expire on
Saturday, the officials said. The agreement reached last month halted 15 months
of fighting, allowing the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for
around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and was meant to lead to
subsequent talks to build on the truce. Israeli officials have previously said
Israel was ready to resume fighting in Gaza if all its remaining hostages are
not returned. However, Israel and Hamas remain far apart on key issues and each
has accused the other of violating the ceasefire, casting doubt over the second
phase of the deal meant to include releases of additional hostages and prisoners
as well as steps toward a permanent end of the war.
There is no sign of agreement, either among or between Israelis and
Palestinians, or between Western and Arab governments, over Gaza’s future. That
uncertainty is complicating efforts to negotiate a lasting resolution. Hamas
called on Friday for the international community to press Israel to immediately
enter the second phase without delay. It is unclear what will happen if the
first phase ends on Saturday without a deal. A senior official of the
Palestinian Authority, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Varsen Aghabekian, also
said on Friday that she would like the ceasefire phases to move ahead as
originally planned.
“I doubt anyone in Gaza will want to go back to war,” she said in Geneva. The
Cairo talks are being mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US support. US President
Donald Trump said on Thursday there were “pretty good talks going on.”Asked
whether the ceasefire deal would move into the second phase, Trump said: “Nobody
really knows, but we’ll see what happens.” The Gaza war is the latest
confrontation in decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It began
on Oct. 7, 2023, when fighters from the Islamist group Hamas stormed border
defenses from Gaza and attacked Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people
and seizing 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The Israeli military
campaign in retaliation has killed more than 48,000 people, according to
Palestinian authorities, while destroying large swathes of the tiny, crowded
territory and leaving most of its 2 million inhabitants homeless.
CEASEFIRE
The ceasefire has mostly held during its first six weeks, although both sides
have accused each other of breaches, particularly in the treatment of Israeli
hostages and Palestinian detainees, and in the handling of releases. The United
Nations has described images of both emaciated Israeli hostages and released
Palestinian detainees as distressing, saying they reflected the dire conditions
in which they were held. Hamas has staged shows of strength during hostage
releases, parading them in front of cameras. Israeli authorities have made
released detainees wear clothes bearing pro-Israeli slogans.
Israel is now negotiating to extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal by 42
days, according to the Egyptian security sources. Israeli government officials
said earlier this week that Israel would attempt to extend the initial phase
with Hamas freeing three hostages a week in return for the release of
Palestinian detainees. Discussions on an end to the war are complicated by the
lack of any agreement over basic questions such as how Gaza would be governed,
how its security would be managed, how it could be rebuilt, and who would pay
for that. Trump proposed this month that the US should take over Gaza and
redevelop it as a “Riviera of the Middle East” with its population displaced
into Egypt and Jordan. Arab countries have rejected that idea but have yet to
announce their own plan. European countries have also rejected the displacement
of Palestinians and say they still support a two-state solution to the conflict.
Arab unity on Gaza will help ‘guide the path forward,’ UN chief says ahead of
Cairo summit
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/February 28, 2025
NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the Arab world to
show unity ahead of a major summit next week to discuss the rebuilding of Gaza,
which he said has become “a nexus of death, displacement, hunger, and disease”
following 15 months of Israeli military action in the enclave. A unified
response among Arab nations “will help guide the way forward” in efforts to
bring stability to the region, he said. The UN chief will attend the
Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States in Cairo next Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Guterres reiterated the UN’s rejection of any
ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and emphasized the need to establish a unified
Palestinian government that enjoys the support of its people. “There must be no
long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, and any transitional arrangements
should aim to achieve a unified Palestinian government,” he said.
Guterres also called for urgent de-escalation in the West Bank, urging an end to
settlement expansion and violence against civilians. The UN secretary-general
reiterated his call for a two-state solution, underscoring the need for Israel
and Palestine to coexist peacefully in accordance with international law.
“The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, chart their
own future, and live in freedom and security,” he said, stressing that the only
path to lasting peace is through a negotiated two-state solution with Jerusalem
as the capital of both states.
In Cairo, Guterres is expected to outline these key priorities to leaders from
across the Arab world, calling for unified action to bring stability to the
region. “Their unified position will help guide the way forward,” he said. The
Cairo summit represents a critical moment for international diplomacy as efforts
intensify to secure a lasting resolution to the Gaza crisis and lay the
groundwork for future peace in the region, amid a fragile ceasefire. Since the
Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, Gaza has experienced unprecedented
destruction. “Hospitals, schools, and water facilities have been destroyed and
reduced to rubble,” Guterres said. He warned that “the risk of further
destruction looms over the population.”The UN chief urged all parties involved
in the ceasefire and hostage deal to uphold their commitments. “The parties must
spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal,” Guterres said. “The coming
days are critical,” he warned, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safe,
dignified, and unconditional release of hostages, alongside the continued flow
of humanitarian aid to those in desperate need. He called for the humanitarian
lifeline to remain open and for continued support for the United Nations Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Since the temporary
ceasefire was brokered, humanitarian agencies have managed to scale up
operations in Gaza, delivering essential aid, food, water, and medical supplies.
“With the right conditions and access, we can do far more,” Guterres said.
However, the UN chief made it clear that ending the immediate humanitarian
crisis is only the first step. He called for a comprehensive political framework
to address Gaza’s long-term recovery, which must be grounded in international
law and ensure the preservation of Palestinian sovereignty. Guterres also called
for tangible steps toward peace and stability, based on “clear principles.”“This
means staying true to the bedrock of international law,” he said. “It means
preventing any form of ethnic cleansing. It means there should be no long-term
Israeli military presence in Gaza. “It means addressing Israel’s legitimate
security concerns. It means accountability for violations of international law.”
Israel lobbies US to keep Russian bases in a ‘weak’ Syria, sources say
Reuters/February 28, 2025
BEIRUT/WASHINGTON: Israel is lobbying the United States to keep the Syrian Arab
Republic weak and decentralized, including by letting Russia keep its military
bases there to counter Turkiye’s growing influence in the country, four sources
familiar with the efforts said. Turkiye’s often fraught ties with Israel have
come under severe strain during the Gaza war and Israeli officials have told
Washington that Syria’s new Islamist rulers, who are backed by Ankara, pose a
threat to Israel’s borders, the sources said. The lobbying points to a concerted
Israeli campaign to influence US policy at a critical juncture for Syria, as the
Islamists who ousted Bashar Assad try to stabilize the fractured state and get
Washington to lift punishing sanctions.Israel communicated its views to top US
officials during meetings in Washington in February and subsequent meetings in
Israel with US Congressional representatives, three US sources and another
person familiar with the contacts said. The main points were also circulated to
some senior US officials in an Israeli “white paper,” two of the sources said.
All the sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to diplomatic sensitivities.
“Israel’s big fear is that Turkiye comes in and protects this new Syrian
Islamist order, which then ends up being a base for Hamas and other militants,”
said Aron Lund, a fellow at US-based think-tank Century International. The US
State Department and National Security Council did not provide a response to
questions for this story. The office of Israel’s prime minister and the foreign
ministries in Syria and Turkiye did not immediately respond to requests for
comment. It was not clear to what extent US President Donald Trump’s
administration is considering adopting Israel’s proposals, the sources said. It
has said little about Syria, leaving uncertainty over both the future of the
sanctions and whether US forces deployed in the northeast will remain. Lund said
Israel had a good chance of influencing US thinking, describing the new
administration as wildly pro-Israeli. “Syria is barely even on Trump’s radar
now. It’s low priority, and there’s a policy void to fill,” he said.
ISRAELI ATTACKS
Israel has publicly declared its mistrust of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the
Islamist faction that led the campaign that toppled Assad and which emerged from
a group that was affiliated to Al-Qaeda until it cut ties in 2016. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will not tolerate the
presence in southern Syria of HTS, or any other forces affiliated with the new
rulers, and demanded the territory be demilitarised. Following Assad’s ouster,
Israel carried out extensive airstrikes on Syrian military bases and moved
forces into a UN-monitored demilitarised zone within Syria. Earlier this week,
Israel struck military sites south of Damascus. Now, Israel is deeply concerned
about Turkiye’s role as a close ally of Syria’s new rulers, three US sources
said, describing the messages delivered by Israeli officials. Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan, who leads the Islamist-rooted AK Party, said last year that
Islamic countries should form an alliance against what he called “the growing
threat of expansionism” from Israel. Earlier this month, Israeli Foreign
Minister Gideon Saar said Israel was concerned Turkiye was supporting efforts by
Iran to rebuild Hezbollah and that Islamist groups in Syria were creating
another front against Israel. Turkiye has said it wants Syria to become stable
and pose no threat to its neighbors. It has repeatedly said Israel’s actions in
southern Syria were part of its expansionist and invasive policy, and showed
Israel did not want regional peace. To contain Turkiye, Israeli officials have
sought to persuade US officials that Russia should keep its Mediterranean naval
base in Syria’s Tartus province and its Hmeimim air base in Latakia province,
the sources said. When Israeli officials presented Russia’s continued presence
in a positive light in a meeting with US officials, some attendees were
surprised, arguing that Turkiye — a NATO member — would be a better guarantor of
Israel’s security, two of the US sources said. Israeli officials were “adamant”
that was not the case, the sources said.
Syria’s new leadership is in talks with Russia over the fate of the military
bases.
SERIOUS THREAT
Syria’s Islamist-led government has sought to reassure Western and Arab states
about its intentions, promising an inclusive Syria and seeking to restore
diplomatic ties with governments that shunned Assad. Syria’s leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa
told a group of foreign journalists in December that Damascus did not want
conflict with Israel or other countries. Israeli officials, however, voiced
concern to US officials that the new government could pose a serious threat and
that Syria’s new armed forces might one day attack, the sources said. Assad kept
the frontier with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights quiet for years despite his
alliance with Israel’s arch-foe Iran, which had a dominant role in Syria until
his downfall upended the Middle East’s power balance. Two sources said that in
the final weeks of US President Joe Biden’s term, his administration considered
offering sanctions relief to Syria’s new leaders in exchange for closing
Russia’s two military bases. Two former US officials under the Biden
administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The sources
said Biden’s team failed to secure a deal before Trump took office on January 20
and that they expected the new US president, who has drawn closer to Russian
President Vladimir Putin, to be more open to Russia staying. Israel’s lobbying
to keep Syria weak points to a starkly different approach to other US-allied
states in the region, notably Saudi Arabia, which said last month it was talking
to Washington and Brussels to help lift Western sanctions.
A source in Erdogan’s AK party said Ankara hosted Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday in part as a hedge against the uncertainty of the new
US policy in Syria, and to balance any Israeli measures there — including with
the US — that threaten Turkish interests.
British minister resigns over overseas aid cut
AP/March 01, 2025
LONDON: The British minister responsible for international development quit on
Friday after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision earlier this week to ramp up
defense spending by slashing the foreign aid budget. In a letter to Starmer,
which she posted on social media, Anneliese Dodds resigned as international
development minister and minister for women, saying there were “no easy paths”
to increasing defense spending but that she disagreed with the decision to cut
overseas aid. On Tuesday, Starmer said the government would raise UK defense
spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 from the current 2.3
percent, saying Europe is in a new era of insecurity that requires a
“generational response.”The increase would be funded by reducing the aid budget
from 0.5 percent of GDP to 0.3 percent, a decision that Starmer described as
“very difficult and painful.”
In her letter, Dodds said she backed the need for higher defense spending and
knew that the aid budget might have to pay for some of that increase. But she
said the scale of the cut was so big it will “remove food and health care from
desperate people” and “deeply” harm the UK’s reputation.
“You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan, and
Ukraine; for vaccination; for climate; and for rules-based systems,” said Dodds,
who attended Cabinet meetings. “Yet it will be impossible to maintain these
priorities given the depth of the cut; the effect will be far greater than
presented.”The increase in defense spending has been sharply criticized by aid
agencies, who said it harmed some of the world’s poorest people and reduced
Britain’s soft power. In her letter, Dodds said she held back from resigning
earlier this week when the cut to the aid budget was announced as it was
“imperative” Starmer had “a united Cabinet” behind him ahead of his trip to
Washington.
Jury finds Illinois landlord guilty of murder, hate crime
in 2023 attack on Palestinian American boy
AP/March 01, 2025
JOLIET, Illinois: A jury found an Illinois landlord guilty of murder and hate
crime charges Friday for the brutal killing of a 6-year-old whose mother rented
rooms in the man’s home, an attack that spiked fears over anti-Muslim
discrimination in the earliest days of the war in Gaza. Joseph Czuba, 73, was
charged in the fatal stabbing of Wadee Alfayoumi and the wounding of his mother,
Hanan Shaheen on Oct. 14, 2023 in Plainfield, about 40 miles (64 kilometers)
from Chicago. Authorities alleged the family was targeted because of their
Islamic faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas that erupted
on Oct. 7, 2023. Jurors deliberated less than 90 minutes before returning with
the verdict. “I don’t know if I should be pleased or upset, if I should be
crying or laughing,” Wadee’s father, Odai Alfayoumi, said at a news conference,
speaking in Arabic. “People are telling me to smile. Maybe if I were one of you,
I would be smiling, but I’m the father of the child and I’ve lost the child. And
I feel like this decision came to a little too late.”Ben Crump, the national
civil rights attorney representing Shaheen, released a statement calling the
verdict a “measure of justice.” “Wadee was an innocent six-year-old child whose
life was stolen in an act of unimaginable violence fueled by hatred,” the
statement added. “While we are relieved that his killer has been held
accountable, we must continue to stand against the rising tide of hate that led
to this senseless act. We must honor Wadee’s memory by continuing to fight
against hate in all its forms and working toward a future where every child is
safe, valued, and free from violence.”Crump asked that the media continue
respecting Shaheen’s privacy as she honors her son’s memory. Shaheen did not
speak at a press conference following the jury decision. Ahmed Rehab, executive
director of the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations, or
CAIR-Chicago, said it was too difficult for her and added that she “only prays
for peace and love.”The trial featured detailed testimony from police officers,
medical workers, Czuba’s ex-wife and Shaheen, who described how Czuba attacked
her with a knife before going after her son in a different room. Prosecutors say
that the child had been stabbed 26 times. He was found naked with a knife still
in his side. Graphic photos of the murder, a knife holder Czuba allegedly used
that day, along with police video footage were central to the Will County
prosecutors’ case. At times video screens showing explicit footage were turned
away from the public viewing audience where members of Wadee’s family sat during
the trial. “If it wasn’t enough that this defendant killed that little boy, he
left the knife in the little boy’s body,” Michael Fitzgerald, a Will County
assistant state’s attorney, told jurors during opening statements. Czuba’s
attorney, George Lenard, declined comment Friday. Czuba had pleaded not guilty.
He faced murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and hate crime charges in
an eight-count indictment. Czuba is scheduled for sentencing on May 2, according
to the Will County Circuit Clerk’s office. Defense attorneys insisted pieces of
evidence tying Czuba to the crimes were missing. His ex-wife, testifying for the
prosecution, could only describe one outburst during their 30 years of marriage
and said he carried knives often because he was handy around the house.
“Go beyond the emotions to carefully examine the evidence,” said Kylie Blatti,
one of Czuba’s public defenders. “It is easy to get lost in the horror of those
images.”
One of the critical parts of the trial was Shaheen’s testimony and the 911 call
she made to report the crime that happened just days after the war started. She
said they had not previously had any issues in the two years they rented from
the Czubas. They shared a kitchen and living room with the Czubas.
Then after the start of the war, Czuba told her that they had to move out
because Muslims were not welcome. Later, he confronted Shaheen and attacked her,
holding her down, stabbing her and trying to break her teeth. “He told me ‘You,
as a Muslim, must die,” said Shaheen, who testified in English and Arabic though
a translator. Shaheen had more than a dozen stab wounds and it took her weeks to
recover. The boy was later pronounced dead. Police testified that officers found
Czuba outside the house sitting on the ground with blood on his body and hands.
Separately, civil lawsuits have been filed over the boy’s death, including by
his father, Alfayoumi, who is divorced from Shaheen and was not living with
them. The case generated headlines around the world and struck deeply for the
Chicago area’s large and established Palestinian community. The US Department of
Justice also launched a federal hate crimes investigation. “All of us who are
parents, who are Arab or Palestinian … who are Muslim, we all saw our children
die in Wadee Alfayoumi, because this could have been any one of our boys, any
one of our girls,” CAIR-Chicago’s Rehab said. “It just so happened that it was
Wadee Alfayoumi. When he was targeted, all of our children were targeted. Every
Muslim was targeted when he (Czuba) yelled, ‘All Muslims must die.’”
Ailing Pope Suffers Breathing
'Crisis', Vatican
This is Beirut/With AFP/February 28/2025
Pope Francis, in hospital with pneumonia, suffered a breathing "crisis" on
Friday which caused him to vomit but he was given air and responded well, the
Vatican said. The episode came just hours after a Vatican source said the
88-year-old pontiff's condition was no longer considered critical, following a
series of incremental improvements. Francis, who has spent the past two weeks at
Rome's Gemelli hospital, "presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which...
led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the
respiratory picture", the Vatican said in a statement on Friday evening. "The
Holy Father promptly underwent broncho-aspiration and began non-invasive
mechanical ventilation, with a good response on gas exchange," it said. Francis
"remained alert and oriented at all times, cooperating with the therapeutic
manoeuvres", it added. His doctors said it would take the next 24 to 48 hours to
see if this breathing trouble has worsened his condition or not, a Vatican
source said.The pontiff, who is "not out of danger", was using an oxygen mask
that covers his nose and mouth but was "in good spirits", the source added.He
also responded better than others might have done in his condition, the source
said. The pope was hospitalised on February 14 for breathing difficulties but
his condition deteriorated into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking alarm.
He suffered a breathing attack at the weekend but since then appeared to have
been getting slightly better, with the Vatican releasing more optimistic medical
updates.
It has not yet modified the pope's prognosis of "reserved", however, which means
doctors will not predict changes in his health.
Still reserved
Medical experts have warned that Francis's age and the chronic respiratory
disease from which he suffers mean a sustained recovery could take time. The
pope, head of the world's nearly 1.4 billion Catholics, had part of one of his
lungs removed as a young man and has suffered increasing health problems in
recent years. He is prone to bronchitis and suffers from hip and knee pain which
has made him reliant on a wheelchair. Nonetheless, Francis has continued to work
from the special hospital suite on the Gemelli's 10th floor. He also has been
doing breathing exercises in between resting and praying, according to the
Vatican. This hospital stay is the fourth of the Argentine's nearly 12-year
papacy and the longest. In recent years, he has had surgery on his colon and a
hernia operation, as well as a previous stay in hospital with bronchitis.
There has been speculation as to whether Francis might now resign, especially as
his schedule has been packed with papal duties amid celebrations for the holy
Jubilee year. "If the pope survives, many imagine that he will want to finish
the Jubilee year but that afterwards, when he is 89, he will face the question
of whether or not to resign," Italian Vatican expert Marco Politi told AFP.
Francis has always been open to following his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who in
2013 stepped down because of his physical and mental health. But before his
hospitalisation, Francis had repeatedly said it was not yet the time -- and may
never be.
Macron Announces EU Plans for
'Reciprocal' Tariffs on US Steel and Aluminium
This is Beirut/With AFP/February 28/2025
France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis
Montenegro shake hands following a joint press conference at the City Hall in
Porto, on the second day of a state visit to Portugal, on February 28, 2025.
©Miguel Riopa / AFP
The EU will impose "reciprocal" tariffs on US steel and aluminum if President
Donald Trump moves ahead with threatened 25 percent duties on European imports,
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday. If the tariffs are confirmed,
"Europeans will respond and therefore there will be reciprocal tariffs. Because
we must protect ourselves, defend ourselves," Macron said in Porto during a
state visit to Portugal. "We must not be weak in the face of these measures," he
said alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. "Of course Europe will
have to react to the tariffs, at the same or similar level," Montenegro said,
adding that "it would make no sense not to do the same".Trump vowed Wednesday to
hit the European Union with 25 percent tariffs -- the same level set to apply to
imports from Canada and Mexico starting next week, while China faces a 10
percent added tariff. He said the new tariffs would hit products including cars,
adding that the EU has "really taken advantage of us", further fuelling tensions
between Washington and its European allies.
"If in early April, as has been announced, tariffs are imposed on European
products at this level, Europeans will have to respond," Macron said.
PKK: A 40-Year Struggle
Paul Guillot/This is Beirut/February 28/2025
Abdullah Öcalan's unprecedented call for the disarmament and dissolution of the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on February 27, 2025, could mark a turning point
in the Kurdish struggle for autonomy. As the PKK’s influence extends across
Turkey and Syria, particularly in the ongoing conflict in northern Syria, this
shift could have profound implications for regional security dynamics,
potentially altering the balance of power and sparking a rethinking of
long-standing geopolitical tensions.
Since its creation in 1978, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has profoundly
shaped the history of the Kurdish movement and influenced the security dynamics
of the region. Its founder and leader, Abdullah Öcalan, called on Thursday for
the disarmament and dissolution of the movement. This decision would mark a
major turning point, not only for Turkey but also for Syria, where groups
inspired by the PKK’s ideology play a central role in ongoing tensions,
particularly in areas controlled by Kurdish forces in Syria.
Origins and Evolution of the PKK
The PKK was founded by Abdullah Öcalan in 1978, with the initial goal of
fighting for autonomy and recognition of Kurdish rights in Turkey. The movement
emerged in a context of marginalization and repression of the Kurds, seeking to
give a voice and representation to this community. In 1984, the PKK took action
by launching an insurgency against the Turkish state, marking the beginning of a
conflict that would last several decades and cause the deaths of more than
40,000 people. This phase of armed struggle intensified ethnic and political
tensions in the region.
Öcalan’s arrest in 1999 was a major turning point. Captured in Kenya in a joint
intelligence operation, his imprisonment transformed the armed struggle into a
primarily ideological and political battle waged from his prison cell. In 2013,
a fragile ceasefire was established, providing hope for a peaceful resolution of
the conflict. Although negotiations ultimately faltered, this period marked a
significant attempt at dialogue between the Turkish government and the PKK.
On February 27, 2025, Öcalan, from his cell, called on the PKK to lay down its
arms and dissolve, an unprecedented move that could redefine the balance of
power in the region. This appeal comes at a time when the Kurdish struggle is
seeking new ways to achieve its political goals.
The Syrian Perspective and the Influence of the PKK
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, provided the Kurds with an
opportunity to organize politically in a territory long marked by repression. In
northern Syria, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People’s Protection
Units (YPG) gradually established the Autonomous Administration of North and
East Syria—often referred to as Rojava. This autonomy project is largely
inspired by Öcalan’s ideology, and many elements of the PKK are present there,
even though the leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have stated that
the call for disarmament primarily concerns the Turkish PKK. The relationship
between Turkey and these Kurdish forces in Syria remains tense. Ankara considers
the YPG an extension of the PKK, which it designates as a terrorist
organization, and thus justifies its interventions in northern Syria. In this
context, the potential disarmament of the PKK could change the situation.
A Reconfiguration of Regional Balances Underway
If Öcalan’s call leads to a significant reduction in the PKK’s military
capabilities, it could weaken Turkey’s argument for justifying its cross-border
operations. This would pave the way for a reassessment of security policies in
the region, both in Turkey and Syria. The current dynamics in Syria are complex:
the Damascus regime, Kurdish forces, and various rebel groups are vying for
control over strategic territories. In this climate, changes within the PKK
could prompt local actors to reconsider their alliances.
In a context of recalibrating balances in the Middle East—where Turkey, Russia,
and even the United States are adjusting their strategies—a shift in the PKK’s
military status could encourage a new push for regional dialogue. It could also
help curb conflict escalation by reducing the security pretext that Ankara uses
against Syrian Kurdish forces. The PKK’s trajectory, marked by decisive
moments—from its founding in 1978 to the call for disarmament in 2025—is now
closely tied to developments in Syria. The potential transformation of the
movement, as envisioned by Öcalan, is likely to have a lasting impact on the
dynamics of the Kurdish struggle and influence power relations between Ankara
and Syrian actors. If the PKK’s disarmament reduces tensions with Turkey, it
could also pave the way for a reassessment of security strategies and a revival
of peace negotiations in a rapidly changing Middle East. However, the complexity
of alliances and the multitude of interests on the ground mean that the future
remains uncertain. The challenges of peaceful coexistence between the Kurds and
the Turkish state, as well as between Kurdish forces and the new Syrian power,
thus remain numerous.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on February 28-March 01/2025
Syria: Muslims Kidnapping, Possibly Torturing, Christians
Uzay Bulut/Gatestone Institute/February 28, 2025
After forces from the al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist
group conquered Damascus and overthrew Syria's Assad regime in December 2024,
they urged the residents of the Valley of the Christians to surrender any
weapons they kept for self-defense, telling them that civilians would not be
harmed. Since the jihadists' takeover of Syria, however, around 500,000
Christians in the country have been faced with increased persecution and
abductions
On February 16, more Christians... were abducted from another village in the
area. Their kidnappers, according to sources on the ground, are torturing them.
"HTS's successive renamings and 'rebrandings' appear to echo al-Qaeda's own
strategy in Syria of establishing branches and presenting them as locally-grown
organizations arising in response to Syrians' needs..." — US Commission on
International Religious Freedom, November 2022.
Al-Sharaa recently started dressing in a suit and tie, and is now presenting
himself to the West as a "moderate." He has spoken of plans to form an inclusive
transitional government representing diverse communities that will build
institutions and run the country until it can hold free and fair elections. In
schoolbooks, however, his government has been replacing the word "law" with
"sharia," and has been using Islamic teaching to recruit the country's new army.
"Under HTS-control in Idlib, Christian clergy are not allowed to walk outside in
any clothing that makes them recognisable as priests or pastors. Crosses have
been removed from church buildings." — Open Doors, December 2024.
"Islam does not tolerate other cultures." — "Christina," a Greek Christian in
Syria, to Gatestone, January 2025.
"The new Syria should not be established without parties that represent the
minority groups in the country, such as Christians, Kurds, Druze, and Alawites.
The official recognition and acceptance of the jihadists by Western governments
is like placing swords on the necks of Christians in particular and everyone who
disagrees with them in general." – "Christina," a Greek Christian in Syria, to
Gatestone, January 2025.
The persecution of Christians in Syria has been escalating since Ahmed Al-Sharaa
took over as the country's president, after his al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir
al-Sham terrorist group overthrew the Assad regime in December. Al-Sharaa
recently started dressing in a suit and tie, and is now presenting himself to
the West as a "moderate." In schoolbooks, however, his government has been
replacing the word "law" with "sharia," and has been using Islamic teaching to
recruit the country's new army. Pictured: Al-Sharaa shakes hands with Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on
February 4, 2025. (Photo by Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty Images)
Sadly, the persecution of Christians in Syria's "Valley of the Christians" (Wadi
al-Nasara), overwhelmingly inhabited by Greeks originally from Antioch, has been
escalating.
After forces from the al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist
group conquered Damascus and overthrew Syria's Assad regime in December 2024,
they urged the residents of the Valley of the Christians to surrender any
weapons they kept for self-defense, telling them that civilians would not be
harmed. Since the jihadists' takeover of Syria, however, around 500,000
Christians in the country have been faced with increased persecution and
abductions
On February 14, 2025, approximately 10 Christian men were abducted by Muslims
from a village in the Valley, although reportedly later released. On February
16, more Christians -- three of whom identified as Majd Shahoud, Tony Salloum
and Bahjat Shehab -- were abducted from another village in the area. Their
kidnappers, according to sources on the ground, are torturing them.
Within a few days, armed Islamists violated a cemetery in the Christian town of
Zaydal, east of the city of Homs, where they toppled and broke a stone cross and
desecrated graves. On February 17, smoke bombs were thrown by masked men at the
Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in the Christian village al-Masmiyah, in
Daraa.
HTS is a terrorist group formed in 2017 from a merger of five Islamist militias.
Since then, HTS ruled Idlib in northwest Syria. In 2018, it was designated by
the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
In late November 2024, an offensive was launched by jihadist forces, spearheaded
by HTS. In December, in less than two weeks, in a march through Syria, HTS
toppled Bashar al-Assad, ending his family's six-decade Baathist regime.
HTS founder Ahmed Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, then
became Syria's president and de facto ruler. Before that, he had served as a
"graduate" of the Jabhat Al-Nusra (Nusrah Front), another designated Foreign
Terrorist Organization and Syrian affiliate of al-Qaeda. A $10 million bounty
for his arrest was removed by the Biden administration on December 20, 2024,
presumably in the hope of his not running Syria into an extremist ditch.
Islamic State (ISIS) leaders have used HTS-controlled territory in Syria as a
safe haven. Two significant US military operations targeted ISIS leaders within
HTS-controlled areas: Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi in 2019 and Abu Ibrahim Al-Hashimi
Al-Quraishi in 2022.
HTS, due to its affiliation with al-Qaeda and ISIS, was also blacklisted as a
terrorist organization by the UN Security Council. The designation has been
transposed to European Union law and is followed by all 27 EU member states.
As reported by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2022, in
"Religious Freedom in Syria Under Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)":
"[HTS] remains a potent source of a Salafi-jihadism that restricts the religious
freedom of non-conforming Sunni Muslims and threatens the property, safety, and
existence of religious minority groups such as Alawites, Christians, and Druze.
Further, HTS's cultivation of a mutually and politically expedient relationship
with Turkey—which itself represents a distinct threat to vulnerable religious
minority groups via its military incursions in northern Syria—compounds the
perilous religious freedom conditions in and near Idlib.
"HTS, or Organization for the Liberation of the Levant, has undergone several
name and purported identity changes since its origins in 2011 as Jabhat
al-Nusra, originally a Syrian front for the Islamic State in Iraq, which at the
time was itself an Iraqi affiliate of al-Qaeda. HTS's successive renamings and
'rebrandings' appear to echo al-Qaeda's own strategy in Syria of establishing
branches and presenting them as locally-grown organizations arising in response
to Syrians' needs...
"In 2021 and 2022, HTS has continued to perpetrate some of the same human rights
abuses—including torture, forced disappearance, rape and other sexual violence,
and killing in detention—that the United Nations' Independent International
Commission of Inquiry on Syria documented for the organization and its
predecessors through 2020. Having taken over government prisons and established
additional jails, HTS has used sectarian-motivated detention and related
abduction and demands for ransom against members of minority groups. Religious
minorities, including non-Sunni Muslims and Druze—both longstanding targets of
Sunni rebel groups' discrimination, harassment, and compelled Sunnism— have
converted to Sunni Islam or fled HTS territories, and those who remain are not
represented in the official bodies governing the area."
In 2023, the US State Department reported:
"Armed terrorist groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham committed a wide range of
abuses, including killings, kidnappings, physical abuse, and recruitment or use
of child soldiers."
Al-Sharaa recently started dressing in a suit and tie, and is now presenting
himself to the West as a "moderate." He has spoken of plans to form an inclusive
transitional government representing diverse communities that will build
institutions and run the country until it can hold free and fair elections. In
schoolbooks, however, his government has been replacing the word "law" with
"sharia," and has been using Islamic teaching to recruit the country's new army.
HTS has a fundamentalist Islamic agenda and has long aimed to install sharia
rule in Syria. In December 2024, the human rights organization Open Doors
reported:
"Under HTS-control in Idlib, Christian clergy are not allowed to walk outside in
any clothing that makes them recognisable as priests or pastors. Crosses have
been removed from church buildings."
Al-Sharaa said last month that organizing national elections in Syria could take
up to five years.
"Christina," a Greek Christian who lives in a town that is home to a Christian
majority in Syria, told Gatestone on condition of anonymity that the main reason
why there is not yet systematic Christian persecution across Syria is "the wide
and multiple media eyes directed at Christian-populated areas."
"This attention means that fewer monitoring eyes might enable the jihadists to
go too far -- they already have some Christian areas and where media coverage
been restricted at the local or state level.
"For example, in Damascus and its countryside, and the rural areas where no one
can document the violations [committed by] jihadist forces, Islamic symbols such
as hijab are imposed even on Christian women. It is a violation of our freedoms.
In other areas, Christians are subjected to harassment by Muslims, such as
encroachment on Christian lands and homes, abductions, and demands for ransom to
release the kidnapped.
"The Christians' biggest fear is the regime's possible application of Islamic
law and the imposition of the jizya – a tax demanded of non-Muslims as
'protection' -- or even the imposition of Islam on us in the future. What I
personally fear most is the outbreak of armed conflicts again and the
possibility that the jihadists will commit massacres against us."
Christina mentioned that she had not left Syria even during the years of civil
war, but that now the economic burden on the Christian community had become
unbearable.
"We hope for an improvement in the economy because the situation is
excruciating. Many Christians now, especially after the state stopped paying
salaries to employees, are trying to survive below the poverty line. Even the
situation in the labor market is dire. We suffer from many challenges -- from
the economic point of view as well as in terms of security."
The foreign ministers of France and Germany, Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena
Baerbock, travelled to Damascus on January 3 to send what Baerbock described as
a clear signal that a "new political beginning between Europe and Syria is
possible," according to Euronews.
Christina said she disagrees:
"I do not believe that recognizing an al Qaeda affiliated group as an official
government, especially after its leaders, headed by its president, have
previously proved they are terrorists and the blood of so many has been shed
because of them.
"The West's recognition of such a terror group would represent a lack of justice
towards the innocents who were murdered by them, and we know they are the same
terror group no matter what they claim to be now.
"Syria must be a secular and democratic country. There must also be political
parties representing Christians. The new Syria should not be established without
parties that represent the minority groups in the country, such as Christians,
Kurds, Druze, and Alawites.
"The official recognition and acceptance of the jihadists by Western governments
is like placing swords on the necks of Christians in particular and everyone who
disagrees with them in general."
Christina said that most Christians in Syria are of Greek descent, but for
centuries have been exposed to forced Arabization:
"Today, our Greek people in Syria speak Arabic because the Arab Muslims, since
they invaded the Levant in the seventh century, have refused to leave any room
for other languages. In other words, everything was Arabized by imposing the
Arabic language and persecuting everyone who spoke Greek, except for what Arabic
could not Arabize from Greek terms that we use in our colloquial language to
this day. Islam does not tolerate other cultures, so the Greek language was
gradually abolished to the point of disappearing among the people and its
existence being limited to the field of theological study.
"I hope that Greece will do something to help us, the Greek Christian people
here, such as sending aid or securing protection for our regions from any future
attack we may be exposed to, or helping to get us out of here, especially those
who have always suffered from their areas being conflict zones. I think that the
Greek government now has a responsibility towards our people here."
Eiad Herera, spokesman of Antiochian Greek Organization, told Gatestone:
"Syrian Christians, including Greek Antiochians, have long been a peaceful and
tolerant community in Syria and the Levant. Unlike other groups, they did not
form militias or take part in the civil war. They only kept small arms for
self-defense. All the same, they have been facing repeated kidnappings, attacks
on their churches and cemeteries, and growing sectarian violence, while the new
government has failed to protect them. The U.S., U.N., Greece, and the
international community need take urgent action to safeguard these vulnerable
communities. This is their ancestral homeland, but their numbers are rapidly
declining."
**Uzay Bulut, a Turkish journalist, is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at
Gatestone Institute.
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not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21438/syria-kidnapping-torturing-christians
Question: “Christian fasting — what does the Bible say?”
GotQuestions.org/February 28, 2025
Answer: Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or
demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as
something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records
believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23).
Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the
focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should
be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God.
Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious
about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a
renewed reliance upon God.
Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are
other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our
attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should
be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of
time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to
punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be
considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to
lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but
some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can
temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.
By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn
our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want.
Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than
others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude.
Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites
do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the
truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on
your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are
fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what
is done in secret, will reward you.”
What TRUE Discrimination Looks Like: Mosques vs Churches in
Egypt
Raymond Ibrahim /Coptic Solidarity/February 28, 2025
Egypt's Ministry of Endowments just announced a new record: in the last six
months, yet another 964 mosques were opened.
Moreover, since Abdel Fateh al-Sisi became president in 2014, the total number
of mosques that have been opened, repaired, or replaced—costing Egypt more than
21 billion pounds—is 13,045. On average, this comes out to over 1,000 additional
mosques per year.
(One can almost hear the triumphant “Allahu akbars!”)
Indeed, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and
Statistics (CAPAMS), the total number of mosques in the country has now reached
151,194*. As such, in 2023, the Minister of Endowment proudly proclaimed that,
although Egypt used to be known as “the country of one thousand minarets,” it
has now become “the country of 150,000 mosques.”
Nor do these gargantuan figures include the ubiquitous “prayer halls.” Virtually
every single governmental office, school, university, sports club or factory
contains a hall or room dedicated to Islamic prayers. Thus, if there are more
than 150,000 mosques in Egypt, the total number of prayer halls is easily
tenfold that number—meaning almost 1.5 million.
Then there are Egypt’s apartment buildings, the ground floors of which are
typically transformed into a prayer hall, duly equipped with loudspeakers. Not
only do they, added to mosques and prayer halls, raise the number of places for
Muslims to worship to an astronomical level; but they are notorious for
intentionally annoying neighbors (including, if not especially, Christians) with
their mega decibel loudspeakers that blast the call to prayer five times a
day—including predawn—with zero consideration for neighbors, including the sick
and elderly.
Here one may inquire: what about the religious places of worship that, for
centuries before Egypt’s conquest by Muslim Arabs, once littered that nation’s
landscape—namely, Christian churches? How do they fare?
The total number of churches and monasteries for all Christian denominations in
Egypt, including those “licensed” since the issuance of the 2016 Law for
Building and Restoring Churches, is currently estimated to be about 5800* (half
of them belong to the Coptic Orthodox, who represent some 85% of Egypt's
Christians).
The disparity is staggering; it alone should underscore the extreme
discrimination Christians—whom Sisi regularly presents as “our beloved and equal
brothers”—face in Egypt. Considering that Christians of all denominations make
up, at the very least, 12 percent of Egypt’s population of 114 million, based on
some conservative number crunching, there is one mosque or prayer hall for every
40 or so Muslims, but only one church or monastery for every 2,400 Christians.
That’s a 1:60 ratio of blatant discrimination.
Along with the ease Egypt grants to the building of mosques, often overlooked is
the fact that the government also completely subsidizes a great many, if not
most, of Egypt’s mosques. As seen, over 21 billion pounds were spent in just the
last decade building and renovating mosques. Moreover, 22 billion Egyptian
pounds are annually paid to Al Azhar, which has a parallel educational system,
or madrasa, from KG to university, with over 2.8 million pupils and students.)
Conversely, not only does Egypt make it immensely hard for Christians to open or
maintain churches, but the government does not contribute a single penny to
their survival. Churches are even required to pay their utility bills, which no
mosque in Egypt does, as the government happily picks up their bill.
In short, along with all the other things one can point to as proof that Egypt’s
Coptic Christians are persecuted—most recently, Coptic Solidarity published a
53-page report on “the Epidemic of Abductions and Forced Disappearance of Coptic
Women and Girls”—here is concrete, objective proof based on numbers alone, which
never lie.
(*) Figures provided by Coptic Solidarity’s Adel Guindy.
Setting a global standard in low-carbon innovation
Marco Arcelli/Arab News/February 28, 2025
The global energy transition cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach. For
developing nations, achieving a sustainable energy future requires collaboration
to bridge the resource gap and ensure long-term growth that benefits both people
and the planet.
However, the Global South, where ACWA Power operates in 14 countries across
Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, faces unique challenges in
decarbonization and the energy transition. The high cost of moving away from
fossil fuels, which remain the cheapest energy option in many regions, along
with limited access to financing, technology, and skilled labor, creates
significant barriers.
This disparity in resources compared to the Global North underscores the need
for innovative approaches and international collaboration to ensure a just
energy transition.
But without fundamentally transforming how we produce and consume energy, we
cannot meet the aspirations of 8 billion people worldwide for a better standard
of living — and this requires innovative solutions that are efficient,
cost-effective, and scalable.
The urgency of this challenge cannot be overstated. We must act swiftly to
address the pressing issues of migration and conflict stemming from energy
poverty and inequity.
Saudi Arabia offers a unique environment where resources, capital, and vision
converge to drive rapid progress. The foresight of Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman, along with the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, serves as a catalyst
for transformative change.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in renewable
energy, particularly solar and wind power. The country aims to generate 50
percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve 130 gigawatts
of installed renewable capacity by the end of the decade.
These targets have driven advancements in technology and expertise in the
sector. For example, ACWA Power, in partnership with the Public Investment Fund,
Badeel, and SAPCO, is developing several multi-gigawatt solar photovoltaic
projects, including Al-Khushaybi (1.5 GW), Muwayh (2 GW), and Haden (2 GW), to
help meet these goals.
These projects not only add clean energy capacity but also boost the local
economy through private sector involvement and job creation. They are also
driving the development of local manufacturing capabilities, as seen in the
recent agreements signed by PIF to localize solar manufacturing.
At ACWA Power, our mission is to uplift communities by helping them achieve a
higher standard of living while navigating the complexities of the energy
transition, particularly in regions where many still lack access to basic
services.
As part of our commitment to this mission, we have developed some of the world’s
largest desalination plants, pioneered solar energy projects at unprecedented
scales, and established a fully off-grid, sustainable community powered by solar
energy and advanced water treatment technologies as part of the Red Sea Global
project.
Without fundamentally transforming how we produce and consume energy, we cannot
meet the aspirations of 8 billion people worldwide for a better standard of
living — and this requires innovative solutions.
This project uses 340 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power and a 1.2 GWh
battery energy storage system for a 100 percent sustainable solution,
demonstrating our dedication to innovative, off-grid solutions.
In Africa, we are the continent’s leading private renewable energy investor,
with an $8.8 billion investment. In Egypt, our projects include the 1.1 GW Suez
Wind Farm, the country’s largest onshore wind farm, which will power 1.35
million homes and make a significant contribution to Egypt’s renewable energy
targets.
Innovation is at the heart of our operations. We have harnessed artificial
intelligence to optimize desalination processes, reducing chemical use and
minimizing environmental impact. However, it is the people behind these
innovations who truly drive our success. By attracting top talent from around
the world to Saudi Arabia, we are fostering an environment where cutting-edge
technologies can flourish. Through investments in education and training, we are
empowering the future workforce to lead the energy transition. Today, Saudi
Arabia is recognized as the world’s largest oil exporter, but we aim to redefine
this narrative. We aspire to position Saudi Arabia as the leading exporter of
low-carbon expertise.
By 2030, we plan to triple our assets under management to around $250 billion.
This ambition will not only serve Saudi Arabia’s interests but also benefit the
Global South as we collectively navigate the energy transition.
As part of this global vision, we plan to invest up to $30 billion in China by
2030, recognizing the market’s importance in the global energy transition. Our
recent entry into China through the acquisition of Sungrow Solar and a partial
stake in Mingyang Wind is a key step in this strategy, with plans to exceed 1 GW
of renewable energy capacity in the country by mid-January 2025.
We are also committed to expanding our presence in Egypt, with plans to invest
nearly $15 billion by 2030, focusing on green hydrogen and wind projects.
I believe Saudi Arabia will continue to thrive after 2030; it is not an
endpoint. The economy will keep growing, with a strong focus on renewables and
low-carbon energy, while demand for water will rise. Growth will persist for
years to come. Many of the projects we are discussing, such as power and
hydrogen exports, will fully materialize in the 2030s. We are planting the
seeds. To realize this dream, collaboration is essential. By working closely
with our partners and stakeholders, we can lead the way toward a sustainable
future — one that uplifts communities and preserves the planet for generations
to come. Together, we can achieve remarkable feats and build a legacy of
innovation and excellence in energy and water solutions.
• Marco Arcelli is the CEO of ACWA Power. He oversees strategy and operations as
the company expands its global footprint.
Europe must double down on green transition
Laurence Tubiana/Arab News/February 28, 2025
Never has it been so obvious that Europe must stand on its own. But as European
leaders debate how to do so, they should not fall for the bogus trade-off
between security and competitiveness, on the one hand, and climate goals on the
other. Doing so would squander one of Europe’s major strategic advantages: its
substantial lead in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This advantage is not just a luxury for calmer times or a distraction from the
pursuit of security and economic resilience. After all, energy is at the heart
of Europe’s security challenge. Dependence on Russian gas proved to be a
critical vulnerability in 2022, triggering economic and political shocks that
are still reverberating. Higher energy costs have constrained many EU member
states’ fiscal capacity — and thus their ability to invest more in defense.
In the three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,
Europe has made positive strides in weaning itself off Russian gas. But while
liquefied natural gas from other suppliers has provided short-term relief, it
does not offer lasting energy security. This winter’s colder temperatures sent
gas prices higher again, highlighting Europe’s continued vulnerability.
Investing in more LNG infrastructure will not solve this problem. The LNG
market, perpetually subject to cold snaps, supply disruptions and increased
demand from other regions, is inherently volatile.
The only path to genuine energy security runs through the transition to a clean,
domestic energy system based on renewables, batteries and related technologies.
Such a system would stabilize prices for households and businesses while
insulating Europe from external pressure.
Europe has already made headway on this front. Renewables generated 47 percent
of the EU’s electricity in 2024, surpassing fossil fuels, which fell to 29
percent — their lowest share on record. But we must maintain this momentum. No
energy-intensive industry — including artificial intelligence — can hope to
invest and scale up in Europe if it remains exposed to fossil fuel volatility.
The European Commission is rightly focusing on strengthening Europe’s clean
industrial base: the design and production of the materials and technologies
that will drive both economic competitiveness and decarbonization. The EU’s work
toward a “Clean Industrial Deal” represents a chance to position Europe as a
global leader, not just a participant, in the economy of the future.
The only path to genuine energy security runs through the transition to a clean,
domestic energy system
But given budget constraints, any new funds must be deployed wisely. That means
emphasizing emerging clean technologies like batteries — a market projected to
grow by 30 percent annually up to 2030. While China has a head start with its
vertically integrated battery supply chains and advanced expertise, Europe still
has a chance to compete and establish a strong position. Indeed, Poland is
already the world’s second-largest lithium-ion battery producer.
Europe’s strategy must align with our values. The Clean Industrial Deal will be
a test of the EU’s ability to ensure that no region or community is left behind.
The EU is at its best when helping member states bolster social and regional
cohesion. It has a strong track record of managing economic integration,
mitigating the downsides of globalization and fostering regional development
through tools like cohesion funds. It now must devise bold social and employment
policies (including retraining) to create high-quality jobs in all regions —
especially those with carbon-intensive industries.
This will require strong cooperation among member states. A free-for-all of
national state aid and industrial policies would deepen regional divides. Last
year’s Letta Report on the EU’s single market proposed that member states
contribute a fixed percentage of their state aid allocations to a common fund.
Contributions in the range of 5 percent to 15 percent could generate up to
€51 billion ($53.4 billion) annually, some portion of which could be
allocated for clean industrialization.
Lowering Europe’s climate ambition in the name of competitiveness would be a
grave mistake. Companies across the continent are vying to secure a share of a
global clean technology market that is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2035.
The EU Green Deal remains central to this vision, providing certainty for
businesses by guaranteeing a growing market for their products.
Changing course now would significantly complicate matters, derailing countless
business models and leaving Europe behind. Hence, some European companies have
publicly warned against backtracking and many more, including several CEOs whom
I have spoken to, express the same concerns privately.
The EU’s sustainable finance framework is an important part of its strategy. As
last year’s Draghi Report on EU competitiveness emphasized, Europe’s problem is
not a shortage of capital but inefficiencies in how its abundant savings are
allocated. Investors need high-quality, reliable and comparable corporate
disclosures, including insights into climate risks. The sustainable finance
framework might not be fashionable, but it is essential in providing this
information. As investor groups managing some €6.6 trillion in assets
recently warned, any significant backpedaling risks choking off European
companies’ access to finance. Thousands of businesses that are planning for and
investing in a low-carbon economy would be undermined.
Lowering Europe’s climate ambition in the name of competitiveness would be a
grave mistake
Strengthening European strategic autonomy requires not isolation but
interdependence. Although the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act rightly aims to
scale up domestic mining, refining and recycling of the materials essential for
the green transition, Europe will remain reliant on imports. Rather than chasing
the illusion of total self-sufficiency, the EU should focus on deepening
cooperation with reliable international partners.
Notwithstanding developments in the US, many countries still believe in working
together on shared challenges. As Olivier Blanchard and Jean Pisani-Ferry argue,
the EU, which embodies multilateralism, is well placed to organize an effective
collective response to climate change and energy insecurity with like-minded
partners.
By committing to an ambitious 2040 emissions reduction target of 90 percent, the
EU can lead by example and negotiate new climate agreements with third countries
such as Japan, Brazil, China and (possibly) India. China, in particular, has a
huge stake in building a green economy, not least because it needs export
markets for its enormous clean tech manufacturing sector. Europe’s climate
leadership is not a burden but a strategic asset. Doubling down on the green
transition will help secure its economic edge, strengthen energy security and
reinforce its global standing. The choice is clear: we can lead with confidence
or risk falling behind in a world that will not wait for us.
• Laurence Tubiana, a former French ambassador to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change, is CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a professor at the
Ecole Normale Superieure. Copyright: Project Syndicate
Europe comes to Washington to boost transatlantic relations
Luke Coffey/Arab News/February 28, 2025
This week has been eventful in Washington regarding America’s European policy,
with several leaders visiting to hold high-level meetings.
The week started with France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the White
House, where he met with President Donald Trump, followed by Britain’s Prime
Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. In addition,
the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas
was also in town for meetings.
These high-level visits underscore the importance of transatlantic relations and
the critical role of the US in shaping Europe’s security and political
landscape. At the top of the agenda for every meeting was Ukraine and the
broader question of what the US and Europe need to do to achieve lasting peace
in the country. The discussions this week follow a set of high-profile American
visits to Europe two weeks ago.
The frequency and intensity of these engagements suggest that, despite
skepticism in some quarters, the Trump administration is committed to
maintaining strong relations with key European allies — even though he might
take a more unconventional approach. There are several critical observations to
make about the meetings this week, which provide insight into how the Trump
administration intends to work with its European partners moving forward.
Firstly, it is evident that Trump prefers to engage directly with European
nation-states rather than deal with Brussels-based institutions such as the EU.
His preference for bilateral relationships over multilateral structures is well
known, and this week’s meetings reinforced that tendency. Trump gravitates
toward America’s oldest and closest allies, such as the UK and France, rather
than embracing the EU as a whole.
By all accounts, Macron had a very productive and cordial White House visit. The
body language and chemistry between the two leaders suggested mutual respect,
something that has not always been evident in Trump’s dealings with his European
counterparts. Macron, despite ideological differences with Trump, has made a
concerted effort to maintain open lines of communication with the US
administration, and it appears this strategy is paying off.
Unlike Macron, Starmer does not have a longstanding personal connection with
Trump. However, he is quickly establishing a working relationship with the White
House. Despite ideological differences, both leaders recognize the importance of
Anglo-American cooperation, particularly in matters of defense and security.
Starmer and Macron came to Washington with concrete proposals for the future
security of Ukraine, rather than simply expecting the US to shoulder the burden.
Reports indicate that both countries have agreed in principle to the possibility
of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine if the situation demands it. Additionally,
both have committed to increasing their defense spending, a move that will
likely encourage smaller European nations to follow suit.
“The meetings and policy outcomes of this week serve as a reminder that Europe
remains a central pillar of US foreign policy.”
Secondly, if individual European nations had a good week with Trump, the EU as
an institution did not fare as well. Trump’s disdain for the EU is no secret. He
was a vocal supporter of Brexit in 2016 and has long accused the EU of
implementing trade policies that undermine American businesses. This situation
has been made worse by some EU leaders who have publicly criticized Trump in the
past — comments that the president often takes personally.
Trump’s comments this week were particularly sharp, as he suggested that the EU
was created to undermine the US. This assertion ignores the historical reality
of European integration, which was largely driven by the need for economic and
political stability after the Second World War, and was very much an
American-led project in its early days. Nevertheless, Trump’s comments reflect
his deeply held skepticism toward the European project. This skepticism is not
limited to Trump himself but is shared by several of his cabinet members. A
clear example of this was the diplomatic snub of the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja
Kallas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to meet with Kallas, citing a
“scheduling conflict.” Given the urgency of the war in Ukraine and the EU’s
significant role in supporting Kyiv, this move was extraordinary.
To cap off a tough week for the EU, Trump announced the possibility of a 25
percent tariff on all goods imported from the EU. This decision, framed as an
effort to address perceived trade imbalances, further signals a potential trade
war between Washington and Brussels at a time when transatlantic unity is
crucial for confronting shared geopolitical challenges, particularly in Ukraine.
Finally, it is clear that Ukraine emerged as a big winner this week. Beyond
securing continued European military and financial commitments, Zelensky signed
an economic and mineral-sharing agreement with Trump after weeks of tough
negotiations. Trump acknowledged that Zelensky was a challenging negotiator, and
media reports suggest the talks were far from straightforward. However, Trump’s
business-oriented approach to diplomacy means he likely respects leaders who
negotiate hard.
For Zelensky, this agreement is a crucial win. It ensures long-term US-Ukraine
economic engagement and brings American businesses into Ukraine in a significant
way. By securing American commercial interests in Ukraine, Zelensky has
indirectly bolstered his country’s security.
Trump himself admitted that the presence of American businesses on the ground
would act as a deterrent against future Russian aggression, reinforcing
Ukraine’s position even in the absence of a formal US security guarantee. While
Trump has been reluctant to extend a direct military commitment to Ukraine, he
recognizes that economic ties can serve as a stabilizing force.
The meetings and policy outcomes of this week serve as a reminder that Europe
remains a central pillar of US foreign policy. This is regardless of the White
House’s ideological preferences. The deep cultural, economic, and security ties
between North America and Europe cannot be ignored.
Even though the Trump administration takes a transactional and sometimes
confrontational approach, the fundamental importance of the transatlantic
alliance remains intact. This is good for America and good for Europe.
• Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. X: @LukeDCoffey
Turkiye sits on the fence amid US-EU split
Dr. Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/February 28, 2025
On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UN General
Assembly this week convened a special session that witnessed a major diplomatic
split between Washington and its Western allies. The split highlighted the
shifting alliances within transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump
amid the emergence of new geopolitical blocs.
While UNGA resolutions are not legally binding, they are seen as a reflection of
global sentiment. That is why the outcome of the European-backed Ukraine vote
was particularly striking. The US confronted its traditionally close European
allies and opposed a resolution that called out Moscow’s aggression.
The vote followed direct talks between US and Russian officials, which excluded
Ukraine, and coincided with Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel
Macron in Washington. The split over the Ukraine vote was seen as the biggest
divide between Western powers at the UN since the 2003 Iraq War, and possibly
even more critical.
In the case of the Iraq War, Western powers, particularly the US and EU
countries such as France and Germany, were deeply divided over the decision to
invade. This division was a major moment of friction among the Western allies,
but ultimately it was a policy disagreement centered on a specific issue —
whether to go to war in Iraq. The split over Ukraine is more than just a policy
disagreement, it signals a fundamental paradigm shift within the Western
alliance.
Trump’s return has brought with it challenges for both Turkiye and the EU. In
Trump’s first term, the US and Europe found themselves on different sides of
international issues, from the Middle East peace process to the Iran nuclear
deal. The first Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Iran
nuclear deal and its trade disputes with Brussels dealt a severe blow to EU-US
relations. At its worst point, European officials even questioned, “With friends
like that (Trump), who needs enemies?” Today, similar concerns are being voiced
in European capitals, with growing uncertainty about what lies ahead.
The split over the Ukraine vote was seen as the biggest divide between Western
powers at the UN since the 2003 Iraq War
Increasing anti-Americanism on Europe’s streets due to Trump’s policies also
have parallels in Turkiye. Among the most pressing issues between Ankara and
Washington is America’s support for the Syrian Democratic Forces, which are
dominated by the Kurdish YPG, an offshoot of the PKK — a US and EU-designated
terrorist group that Turkiye has been fighting for the last four decades. On the
other side, Turkiye and the EU still have issues waiting to be resolved and most
of these are structural in nature.
The policies of the Trump administration are now increasingly posing risks to
the mutual interests of Turkiye and Europe. This has made the latter realize
that collective action is needed for dealing with the US. Thus, the EU’s stance
not only indicates that Turkiye and Europe are politically and economically
interdependent, but it also shows that Ankara and Brussels can put their
bilateral issues aside in the face of a common threat.
Here, the well-known theory of “balance of threat” comes to mind. This theory,
first proposed by Stephen M. Walt in the 1980s, says states’ alliance behavior
is determined by the threat they perceive from other states. Both Turkiye and
the EU have the sense that they are aboard the same ship, facing common
challenges and having to cope with American waves together.
Coming back to the Ukraine vote, despite the US’ opposition, the resolution was
adopted. Ninety-three countries voted in favor, 18 against and 65 abstained,
with 17 countries choosing not to participate. This breakdown is significant, as
it shows a clear division in the global balance of power, with the majority
standing against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The policies of the Trump administration are now increasingly posing risks to
the mutual interests of Turkiye and Europe
But when comparing this vote to a similar one held in February 2023, it is clear
there has been a shift. In 2023, 141 countries voted in favor of condemning
Russia’s invasion, with the US leading that bloc. The difference in voting
patterns of the US highlights the broader changes taking place, which have led
to the growing US-EU split when it comes to their approach to Russia.
Ankara has aligned with European capitals in condemning Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine, voting in favor of both UNGA resolutions. However, throughout this war,
Turkiye has played a crucial balancing role between Moscow and the West,
bolstered by the close personal diplomacy between the Turkish and Russian
leaders. The vote at the UN clearly shows that Ankara aligns more closely with
the EU than the US. Turkiye’s position signals a significant shift in its
foreign policy approach to the transatlantic alliance.
Turkiye is of importance to the visions of both the US and the EU in the region.
For Washington, Turkiye has been a critical strategic ally and a “model” partner
since the Cold War, having the second-largest army within NATO after the US. For
Europe, Turkiye is an integral part of the continent’s security framework and a
candidate for membership since the inception of the European bloc.
Historically, Turkiye’s ties with the US and the EU have not proceeded along
parallel paths, but they were intimately linked. However, this dynamic has
shifted, with the growing rifts between the US and the EU leaving Ankara with
strong incentives to sit on the fence for at least the next four years. The
coming years will be critical for Ankara as it navigates its position between
the competing interests of the US and the EU.
• Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s
relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
Is the BBC biased in its Gaza-Israel coverage?
Sherouk Zakaria/Arab News/February 28, 2025
DUBAI: The BBC’s decision to remove its documentary on Gaza has reignited public
debate over the broadcaster’s pro-Israel bias in its coverage of the latest war
and sparked concerns over the influence of the pro-Israel lobby on western
media’s impartiality. Last week, the broadcaster faced backlash from pro-Israel
advocates, prominent Jewish media figures, and Israeli representatives in the UK
government when it emerged that Abdullah Al-Yazouri, the 14-year-old main
narrator in the BBC Two documentary, “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,” was the
son of Ayman Al-Yazouri, a deputy agriculture minister who worked for the
Hamas-run government. After withdrawing the
documentary from its iPlayer service, the BBC was once again criticized by
academics, public figures and TV personalities who argued that the channel
should have maintained its journalistic impartiality and independence.
The channel’s critics said the removal of the documentary, which provides the
rare perspective of a child on the devastating consequences of the war on Gaza,
reflected the BBC’s pro-Israel biased coverage since the war began, further
deepening the dehumanization of Palestinians and marginalizing their voices.
“The BBC should not have succumbed to pressure from pro-Israeli groups and the
British government, who should not have intervened,” Chris Doyle, director of
the Council for Arab British Understanding, told Arab News.
“What is extraordinary is the vast gap between how this documentary was
maliciously depicted as being Hamas propaganda and the reality of the film
itself, which is a child’s eye view of life in war-torn Gaza that does not get
into politics but is a very human story of how Palestinian children survived
day-to-day,” noted Doyle. The documentary, filmed over
nine months in the run-up to January’s ceasefire deal, features three children
among the main characters navigating their lives amid bombings and vast
destruction caused by the war on Gaza.
The boy’s family connection with the Hamas-run government employee drew the
interference of UK Secretary of Culture Lisa Nandy, who said she expressed “deep
concerns” during a meeting with the BBC’s Director-General Tim Davie and urged
the channel to report “what happened and who knew what when.”After conducting an
investigation, the BBC issued an apology on Thursday for “serious flaws” in the
making of the documentary.
It said it has “no plans” to broadcast it again in its current form, despite the
pleas of 500 media professionals and filmmakers, including Gary Lineker and
Juliet Stevenson, for the channel to reinstate the documentary, calling it an
“essential piece of journalism” that “amplifies voices so often silenced.”
Warning of “racist assumptions,” they said: “Weaponizing family associations to
discredit a child’s testimony is both unethical and dangerous.”Doyle urged the
BBC to review its decision “in a very independent fashion free from external
interference.”He said the broadcaster’s action renders work that “humanizes
Palestinians and treats Palestinian children as human beings with rights with
aspirations, with hopes, with fears” as “illegitimate.”It also endorses a
dominant narrative that militarizes Palestinians and associates them with armed
groups, according to the BBC’s critics.Loreley Hahn-Herrera, lecturer in global
media and digital cultures at SOAS University of London, said condemning the
documentary as influenced by Hamas does not consider that anyone who works in
the government is not necessarily a member of its armed wing.
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization in the UK, US and Europe.“Ayman
Al-Yazouri is a mid-level bureaucrat who was educated in the UK. I don’t think
it is fair to make children guilty by association, which further feeds into the
narrative of linking all Palestinians in Gaza to Hamas and criminalizing
Palestinian men and stripping them away from their civilian status,”
Hahn-Herrera told Arab News.
The first five minutes of the documentary depict Palestinians condemning Hamas
and its late leader Yahya Sinwar as they run away from the bombings.
“The documentary shows kids traumatized by war and actively denouncing Hamas.
This challenges the ongoing discourse coming from within Israel and its
supporters in the West that associates everyone in Gaza with Hamas and,
therefore, makes them targeted terrorists,” Hahn-Herrera said. She added: “Of
the very few political statements that were made throughout the documentary,
they were all against Hamas.”
More seriously, Hahn-Herrera noted, the BBC succumbing to pro-Israeli pressure
interferes with its credibility as the independent institution it claims to be
and challenges its notion of autonomy from the government, which it wants the
public to believe.
When reached out to by Arab News for comment, a BBC spokesperson pointed to the
channel’s Friday statement indicating that an investigation is ongoing.
The BBC, among other Western outlets, has been facing growing accusations of
predominantly featuring Israeli spokespeople and allies over Palestinian voices
in its Gaza war coverage. But the debate over the dominance of Israeli
narratives in Western media during conflicts with the Palestinians is not new.
A 2011 groundbreaking study by Greg Philo and Mike Berry titled “More Bad News
from Israel” showcased how the BBC’s editorial team faced constant pressure and
scrutiny when reporting on Israel and Palestine, making it difficult to give a
clear account of the Palestinian perspective.
“The pressures of organized public relations, lobbying and systematic criticism
together with the privileging of Israeli perspectives by political and public
figures, can affect the climate within which journalists operate,” the authors
said.
In November, The Independent reported that more than 100 BBC employees, in a
letter to Davie and CEO Deborah Turness, accused the channel of reproducing and
failing to challenge the narratives of Israeli officials that have
“systematically dehumanized Palestinians,” while sidelining the Palestinian
perspective and failing to contextualize the war within the broader history of
76-year occupation and a tight 18-year Gaza blockade.
Among the concerns noted by staff were “dehumanizing and misleading headlines”
that erased Israel’s responsibility, such as “Hind Rajab, 6, found dead in Gaza
days after phone calls for help,” given to an article about a 6-year-old girl
who was shot by the Israeli military in Gaza in January 2024.
Other concerns included omissions of coverage, such as the failure to live
broadcast South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court
of Justice on Jan. 11 but choosing to live broadcast Israel’s defense the
following day.
The Independent’s report was followed a month later by an article titled, “The
BBC’s Civil War on Gaza,” published on Drop Site, an investigative news
platform, featuring 13 BBC journalists who claimed that their objections over
the biased coverage were brushed aside. The 9,000-word article cited an analysis
that revealed a “profound imbalance” in the channel’s way of reporting
Palestinian and Israeli deaths, arguing that Israeli victims were more
humanized. It also detailed accounts of bias including the use of stronger terms
like “massacre,” “slaughter” or “atrocities” when describing Hamas’ crimes while
failing to use the same terms to describe Israel’s crackdown on Gaza that killed
over 46,000 people, the majority of whom were women and children. The BBC, at
the time, denied allegations of bias and defended its coverage, insisting it
“strives to live up to our responsibility to deliver the most trusted and
impartial news.”
A BBC spokesperson said at the time: “We are very clear with our audiences on
the limitations put on our reporting — including the lack of access into Gaza
and restricted access to parts of Lebanon, and our continued efforts to get
reporters into those areas.”
Ample academic research has analyzed coverage of previous Palestine-Israel wars,
the majority of which revealed a disproportionate emphasis on Israeli
perspectives while downplaying Palestinian suffering. If anything, Hahn-Herrera
said, the BBC’s recent documentary shared a rare perspective with Western
audiences that humanized the suffering of Palestinian children. “It shows that
Palestinians even under occupation, even under constant military attacks, want
to have a normal life. It demonstrated that despite all the difficulties and the
challenges that Palestinians are facing, they are a resourceful population, and
they continue to try to live in normalcy as much as possible,” she said.