Palestine

by Dario Salvi | GATEWAY TO THE EAST

For the Jordanian scholar, the plan that led to normalisation with Israel ‘seems dormant’ but remains a valid ‘basis’. The Middle East is a different reality today compared to the Tycoon's first term. The ‘zero conflict’ policy pursued by Riyadh privileges the economic sphere and opens up dialogue with Tehran. The centrality of the Palestinian issue to stop conflicts.

by Dario Salvi

For the Israeli activist, who mediated the release of Gilad Shalit after five years of Hamas captivity, Israel’s prime minister is using antisemitism to cover up domestic scandals and exploiting the war for his own self-interest. He also criticises the Palestinian side, which must  prepare the ground for elections postponed for far too long. Qatar's step back should be used to restart negotiations.

| 12/11/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
by Dario Salvi

In the shadow of the conflict in Gaza (and with the Lebanese Hezbollah in the north) the Israelis are perpetrating a ‘policy’ of violence against farmers and land. A state ‘policy’ that combines pro-occupation movements and institutions. With Ben Gvir a real task force against foreign activists who support the Palestinians, by means of arrests and expulsions.

| 05/11/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

A new scandal is developing over a 32-year-old member of Netanyahu's staff. By leaking fake information to the media, the aide contributed to derailing hostage negotiations and escalating the war. For opposition leader Lapid, the PM is either “incompetent” or “complicit”.

| 04/11/2024
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE

Hezbollah’s new chief does not rule out negotiations, but warns that it will take weeks or months. Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati is optimistic, waiting for developments from Hochstein's mission to Israel. But opposition remains on both sides. Meanwhile, the Saudi capital hosts a two-day meeting of the “International Alliance to implement the Two-State Solution".

| 31/10/2024
| LEBANON – ISRAEL
by Dario Salvi

With a margin of 92 to 10, the Israeli parliament approves two bills to end the activities of the UN agency for Palestinians, accused of covering for Hamas. This has sparked criticism from the international community. For UNRWA commissioner-general, the bill is “unprecedented”, while UN chief Guterres calls the agency’s work “essential”. Meanwhile, Israel plans to expropriate UNRWA’s compound to build homes for settlers in East Jerusalem.

| 29/10/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

For the Palestinian activist, the struggle is bound to continue, because it has "deeper roots" than the leaders who fight. Netanyahu claims a victory to offer to the Israeli people, but killing a man “does not eliminate an idea". Sinwar’s death will likely have repercussions for the talks on a truce and the fate of the hostages still held by Hamas.

| 18/10/2024
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
Editor's choices
 
The territory’s High Court convicted 45 activists for organising primary elections for the opposition in 2020. They include well-known people, like legal scholar Benny Tai and umbrella movement leader Joshua Wong. Many pleaded guilty to obtain ...
| 19/11/2024
| HONG KONG
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
After six bodies were found over the weekend, protesters stormed the homes of local BJP lawmakers. The Union government is sending thousands of special forces, while the Union Home Affairs minister tries to resolve the situation peacefully. For the archbishop ...
| 18/11/2024
| INDIA
 
With the tycoon’s return, hundreds of thousands of Asians risk deportation from the United States, along with Latin Americans. The Philippine government is getting ready to assist 370,000 Philippine migrants. Indians are one of the largest groups ...
| 13/11/2024
| ASIA – UNITED STATES
 
by John Ai
At the start of the month, groups of students begun cycling at night along the road that links Henan’s capital to Kaifeng, a place known for its steamed dumplings. For young people, affected by the crisis, this is a way to travel cheap. However, ...
| 11/11/2024
| CHINA
 
Caritas and the Social Commission of the Bishops' Conference released a statement today denouncing the fact that families are being forced to fend for themselves. Some disabled people have died after the facility where they lived was closed. President ...
| 08/11/2024
| SOUTH KOREA
 
by Mathias Hariyadi
Around midnight, large boulders ejected from Lewotobi Laki-laki, hitting buildings up to 6 kilometres away. The victims - among them Sr Nikolin Padjo, Missionary Servant of the Holy Spirit - were caught in their sleep by the fiery lapilli. In ...
| 04/11/2024
| INDONESIA
 
The government is cutting red tape to boost the economy. Many new Thais have been waiting for their papers for years and now will finally have access to several rights. Without this amnesty, children born to parents from ethnic minorities would have ...
| 31/10/2024
| THAILAND
 
The annual document for Pope Francis on initiatives for the prevention of child abuse was presented today. The Commission calls on local Churches to overcome a “culture of silence, a reluctance to report abuse, and a general lack of education and ...
| 29/10/2024
| VATICAN – ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”