Israel prohibits non-Muslim visits to Al-Aqsa until Ramadan end

On Apr 12, 2023

2 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces near Nablus

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 11,2023

2 PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELI FORCES NEAR NABLUS

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces on Tuesday for allegedly attacking a military post in the occupied West Bank.

A military statement said the post came under fire from a speeding vehicle near the settlement of Elon Moreh, east of Nablus city.

Israeli forces opened fire on the car and neutralized two attackers, while a third was injured but fled the scene, the statement said.

Three M1 rifles and two handguns were seized, the statement said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two slain Palestinians as So’oud al-Titi and Mohammad Abu Thera.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

According to Palestinian figures, 98 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli forces since the start of this year. Seventeen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

Israel

occupation

VİOLENCE

Palestine

UAE president arrives in Egypt for unannounced visit

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 12,2023

UAE PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN EGYPT FOR UNANNOUNCED VISIT

United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Egypt on Wednesday for an unscheduled visit.

The visit came shortly after Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Saudi Arabia, for the first visit to the kingdom since 2011.

Bin Zayed was welcomed at Cairo airport by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the state news agency WAM reported.

The Egyptian Presidency confirmed bin Zayed’s arrival in Cairo, but without providing any further details.

The Syrian regime began to exchange official visits and contacts with several Arab countries in recent years amid reports about a possible resumption of Syria’s membership in the Cairo-based Arab League.

Egypt

UAE

relations

Türkiye approves Israeli decision to halt settler visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque

In a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Wednesday told his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen that provocations should not be repeated in the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Çavuşoğlu also said Türkiye will make every possible contribution to reduce the tension.

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 12,2023

TÜRKIYE APPROVES ISRAELI DECISION TO HALT SETTLER VISITS TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE

(AFP Photo)

Türkiye on Wednesday approved Israel’s decision to halt entries, other than by Muslims, into Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem until the end of Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan to relieve tension.

In a phone call, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen discussed the latest developments regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

The phone call came a day after a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on prohibition of Jewish visitors and tourists “from going up to the Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque complex) until the end of Ramadan.”

Çavuşoğlu emphasized that provocations should not be repeated in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The minister also said Türkiye will make every possible contribution to reduce the tension, according to the sources.

The tension escalated across the Palestinian territories after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem and forcibly removed worshipers last week.

The Israeli raids on the mosque triggered rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, with Israel retaliating with air and artillery shelling.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world’s third-holiest site. Jews, for their part, call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.

Türkiye

Israel

Al-Aqsa Mosque

East Jerusalem

Ramadan

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Eli Cohen

Egypt says rapprochement with Türkiye is in interest of whole region

“Reducing tension and building stable relations between Ankara and Cairo will positively impact the people of the region. Consequently, it will be in the whole region’s interest,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Wednesday during an exclusive interview he gave to major Greek broadcaster SKAI TV.

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 12,2023

EGYPT SAYS RAPPROCHEMENT WITH TÜRKIYE IS IN INTEREST OF WHOLE REGION

Egypt on Wednesday said its rapprochement with Ankara is in the interest of the whole region.

The rapprochement process started as there was a desire both on our side and Ankara to de-escalate the tension in bilateral relations, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during an exclusive interview he gave to major Greek broadcaster SKAI TV.

“Reducing tension and building stable relations between Ankara and Cairo will positively impact the people of the region. Consequently, it will be in the whole region’s interest,” he said.

Last month, Çavuşoğlu and Shoukry met in the Egyptian capital Cairo, where the two discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues, and agreed to maximize diplomatic ties.

Çavuşoğlu is the first foreign minister to visit Egypt from Türkiye in 11 years.

Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Egypt have been at the level of charges d’affaires on both sides since Egypt’s 2013 military coup, which overthrew then-President Mohammed Morsi.

Answering a question, Shoukry, however, added that better relations with Ankara would not harm Cairo’s relations with Athens, which he called historical and special.

He remarked that strong Greek-Egyptian relations opened a window for improved cooperation in other fields, particularly in energy.

Shoukry also expressed support for the thaw in Turkish-Greek relations.

Better relations between Ankara and Athens would mean increased cooperation in numerous domains, including commerce, investments, and handling the crises, he said, adding that this situation would contribute to the prosperity and stability of the region.

In reference to the latest escalation between Palestinians and Israelis, Shoukry urged the concerned parties to restore calm and avoid further escalatory actions.

Greece was among the first countries to convey condolences and offer aid on Feb. 6, when twin quakes struck 11 southern Turkish provinces.

Likewise, Türkiye was the first country to offer condolences and aid following a Feb. 28 train accident in northern Greece that left at least 57 people dead.

After the accident, Türkiye allowed the transfer of a Greek prisoner to Greece to attend his son’s funeral.

On March 20, Çavuşoğlu and Dendias met in Brussels and agreed that Türkiye will support Greece’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2025-2026 and Athens will support Ankara’s candidacy for secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

More recently, last week, Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos visited Türkiye and met his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar.

In a separate development, Dendias met Israeli Ambassador Noam Katz.

Bilateral relations, current regional developments as well as the holy sites in Jerusalem were discussed at the meeting, he said on Twitter.

Egypt

Türkiye

Sameh Shoukry

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Greece

Syria FM in Saudi for first visit since war began: state media

AFP MIDDLE EAST

Published April 12,2023

SYRIA FM IN SAUDI FOR FIRST VISIT SINCE WAR BEGAN: STATE MEDIA

Syria’s foreign minister arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday on the first such trip since the outbreak of the country’s civil war in 2011, state news agency SANA reported.

“Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and an accompanying delegation arrived in the city of Jeddah… for a working visit at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to hold talks on bilateral relations… and issues of common concern,” SANA said.

Syria

Saudi Arabia

relations

Iranian delegation says embassy to be reopened in Riyadh

An Iranian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in preparation for this, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Tehran is planning to open an Iranian embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in the coastal city of Jeddah by the end of June.

DPA MIDDLE EAST

Published April 12,2023

IRANIAN DELEGATION SAYS EMBASSY TO BE REOPENED IN RIYADH

Iran and Saudi Arabia are planning to reopen their diplomatic missions in each other’s countries as part of a rapprochement between the two long-time foes.

An Iranian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in preparation for this, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Tehran is planning to open an Iranian embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in the coastal city of Jeddah by the end of June.

Diplomatic circles in Saudi Arabia also confirmed the visit of the Iranian delegation for this purpose.

The latest visit comes after a Saudi delegation travelled to Iran on Monday to discuss the reopening of diplomatic missions in Tehran and also in Mashhad in the north-east.

Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran have not maintained diplomatic relations in recent years. Both countries are struggling for political and military influence in the region.

A rapprochement could lead to major changes in the Gulf region, where both have struggled for political and military influence. The foreign ministers of both countries recently met for the first time in more than seven years after mediation by China.

Saudi Arabia

İran

Iranians gather at Palestine Square to break fast, support Palestinians

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 11,2023

IRANIANS GATHER AT PALESTINE SQUARE TO BREAK FAST, SUPPORT PALESTINIANS

People making queues for iftar in front of makeshift stalls, young children singing hymns on a small podium, a lady working on an unfinished portrait, and some others holding banners in the middle of the roundabout.

Palestine Square or Maidan Felesteen, a busy roundabout in central Tehran, is bustling with activity this Ramadan as hundreds of people gather here every evening to break their fast.

Named after Palestine, it’s a popular venue in the Iranian capital for Palestine-related events, a few blocks away from the city center and the Palestinian Embassy in Iran.

These days, in the wake of recent Israeli military raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem and arbitrary arrests of hundreds of worshippers, Iranians have decked up the square to extend their support to the Palestinian people.

A freshly painted graffiti on a building overlooking the square, which shows people of different nationalities breaking their fast at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, has become a new cynosure of eyes.

Four big makeshift stalls have been put up in the square serving iftar to fasting people — lamb stew, fried rice, tea and sweetened drinks. The cardboard cutout images of the Al-Aqsa Mosque greet the people.

A small stage has also been erected in one corner of the roundabout where prominent figures are invited to speak on the recent developments in Palestine, and choirs of children perform songs on the theme of Palestinian resistance and Al-Aqsa.

On Monday evening, the guest speaker was a Hamas representative in Tehran Khaled al-Qaddoumi, who delivered a short but passionate speech about Israeli “atrocities” against Palestinians, especially children.

Anadolu spoke to many young people who have been regularly visiting the venue this Ramadan to break their fast and to express support for the Palestinians.

“We couldn’t be there so we came here,” said Hossein Shahabi, a student activist. “This place gives a surreal feel of Al-Aqsa and the occupied East Jerusalem these days, and we are here to rally behind our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”

The Ramadan program at Palestine Square is part of the worldwide campaign “We shall break our fast in Al-Aqsa.”

The campaign started in southern Lebanon in early Ramadan after graffiti was spotted on a wall built by Israel, which soon became viral among Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

In recent days, images of Palestinians breaking their fast in the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque have been widely circulated on social media, especially after Gaza-based Hamas group called for wide participation in Ramadan ceremonies at the holy site.

“We shall surely break our fast in Al-Aqsa someday, when the occupier leaves and the occupied takes charge of what belongs to them, including the holy mosque,” Ebrahim Rasouli, one of the volunteers, told Anadolu.

İran

Palestine

Ramadan

support

UN says forced into ‘appalling choice’ after Taliban ban on women

“The ban is unlawful under international law, including the UN Charter, and for that reason the United Nations cannot comply,” the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.

Anadolu Agency MIDDLE EAST

Published April 11,2023

UN SAYS FORCED INTO APPALLING CHOICE AFTER TALIBAN BAN ON WOMEN

The UN on Tuesday said it was being forced to make an “appalling choice” about its presence if Afghanistan after the Taliban banned women from working for the organization.

“The ban is unlawful under international law, including the UN Charter, and for that reason the United Nations cannot comply,” the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.

“Through this ban, the Taliban de facto authorities seek to force the United Nations into having to make an appalling choice between staying and delivering in support of the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are duty-bound to uphold,” it said.

“It should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities.”

The statement added that the UN mission in Afghanistan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday decided to halt Israeli settler intrusions into Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem until the end of the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, is expected to end later this month.

A statement by Netanyahu’s office said the decision was made following a “comprehensive assessment” on the security situation across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which was attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir along with the heads of the security services.

The decision stated that Jewish visitors and tourists are prohibited “from going up to the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque complex] until the end of Ramadan.”

Ben-Gvir, for his part, described the decision as a “serious mistake that will not bring peace, rather risks escalating the security situation further.”

On Tuesday, nearly 800 Israeli settlers forced their way into the flashpoint site under heavy protection from the Israeli forces, to mark Jewish Passover holiday.

Tension escalated across the Palestinian territories after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem and forcibly removed worshipers last week.

The Israeli raids on the mosque triggered rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, with Israel retaliating with air and artillery shelling.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world’s third-holiest site. Jews, for their part, call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.