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2021.05.26 國際新聞導讀-美國國務卿布林肯訪問以色列與巴勒斯坦、敘利亞今天總統大選、伊朗6月18日總統大選、美國葉門特使訪沙烏地與阿曼、真主黨警告以色列不要妄動及欺負耶路撒冷阿拉伯人


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2021.05.26 國際新聞導讀-美國國務卿布林肯訪問以色列與巴勒斯坦、敘利亞今天總統大選、伊朗6月18日總統大選、美國葉門特使訪沙烏地與阿曼、真主黨警告以色列不要妄動及欺負耶路撒冷阿拉伯人



美國國務卿與巴勒斯坦權力機構主席阿巴斯於西岸拉馬拉會晤


美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯(Antony Blinken)表示,拜登政府將向國會要求向巴勒斯坦提供7500萬美元的額外援助。


布林肯說,在以色列和哈瑪斯之間最近發生敵對行動之後,550萬美元將用於加薩的立即性緊急救援,以及3200萬美元的額外人道主義援助。

布林肯表示,他已將此事通知了巴勒斯坦權力機構主席阿巴斯和以色列總理納坦雅胡。


布林肯告訴阿巴斯,美國旨在為巴勒斯坦人重新開放耶路撒冷領事館。

在拉馬拉,布林肯宣布計劃重新開放在耶路撒冷的美國領事館

事實證明,對巴勒斯坦人的事實上的訪問已被特朗普政府合併為使館;國務卿表示,他已通知內塔尼亞胡;此舉需要以色列的批准

雅各布馬吉德亞倫BOXERMAN今天晚上10:12 0



國務卿安東尼·布林肯(左)於2021年5月25日在約旦河西岸城市拉馬拉與巴勒斯坦權力機構主席阿巴斯(Mahmoud Abbas)進行了會談。(亞歷克斯·布蘭登/ POOL /法新社)

美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯週二宣布了重新開放在耶路撒冷的美國領事館的計劃,該領事館歷來實際上是巴勒斯坦人的代表。

布林肯在拉馬拉與巴勒斯坦權力機構主席阿巴斯(Mahmoud Abbas)會面時發表了上述評論,

“正如我對本傑明·內塔尼亞胡總理和阿巴斯總統所說,美國將在重新開放我們在耶路撒冷的領事館的進程中向前邁進。這是我們國家與巴勒斯坦人民互動並為其提供支持的重要途徑。”

布林肯還宣布,美國計劃向巴勒斯坦人提供數千萬美元的援助,以協助加沙地帶重建。此前,以色列與那裡的恐怖組織之間的衝突持續了11天,該秘書將秘書帶到了該地區。

2019年,特朗普政府將擁有175年曆史的耶路撒冷領事館合併到該市的美國大使館中,該大使館是一年前從特拉維夫轉移過來的。儘管在美國與以色列關係的更大保護下成立了一個新近命名的巴勒斯坦事務組,但在西耶路撒冷市中心阿格隆街歷史性特派團的許多工作人員仍繼續從事同樣的工作。

時任國務卿邁克·龐培(Mike Pompeo)為這一舉動辯護,稱此舉將提高效率。但是,許多外交官反對合併,巴勒斯坦高級官員隨後切斷了與阿格隆特派團的聯繫。

拜登在競選中重新開放了耶路撒冷的領事館以及巴勒斯坦解放組織在華盛頓的特派團,該特派團在2018年被特朗普關閉。這兩項舉措都將面臨法律障礙。

根據Axios的要求,內塔尼亞胡拒絕以色列的要求,才能在首都開設外交使團。內塔尼亞胡拒絕了這一要求,他說,他希望情況保持原樣。

一位熟悉此事的美國前官員告訴《以色列時報》,美國希望以色列最終會遵守這一要求,因為耶路撒冷可能希望保留與美國政府的衝突,以便就其為重返伊朗核協議所作的努力進行對話。

這位前官員說,拜登政府認識到在最近的加沙暴力事件中迫切需要重新開放該特派團。這位前官員說,在5月10日至20日在加沙地帶爆發戰爭之前的幾周里,緊張局勢在耶路撒冷激增,美國缺乏獨立的特派團,與有關各方關係密切,無法向華盛頓全面匯報,承認白宮為降級而進行的參與工作遲到了。

一位知情人士說,這種認識促使白宮迅速跟踪了他們重新開放領事館的計劃,有些人認為這要等到以色列成立永久政府之後再進行。

布林肯在公告中沒有具體說明將在何處放置領事館。該特派團最實際的地點很可能是在其外交官已經位於的阿格隆街上。這也將使美國能夠解釋說,該基地只是特朗普長期以來一直維持現狀的延續。但是,拜登政府也著重表示了對兩國解決方案的支持。巴勒斯坦人要求東耶路撒冷作為未來國家的首都,因此在西耶路撒冷的阿格隆街(Agron Street)設立領事館可被視為反對這一願景的聲明。但是,將任務部署在東耶路撒冷,表明對傳統的兩國范式的支持,這可能會與以整個城市為首都的以色列人產生更大的緊張關係。

尚不清楚領事館的具體作用是什麼。對阿格隆(Agron)的舊任務負責為西岸,加沙地帶和東耶路撒冷的所有居民提供服務。鑑於這些平民中的絕大多數是巴勒斯坦人,因此領事館被稱為對他們的事實上的代表,並且其外交官定期與巴勒斯坦權力機構官員進行溝通。

回到舊的範式可能會激怒定居者及其支持者,他們認為他們應與其他在領事館(而非領事館)向耶路撒冷大使館(而不是領事館)報告的以色列公民團聚,以滿足他們的領事需要。

重新開放哥倫比亞特區的PLO任務可能更具挑戰性。這樣做將違反國會下令關閉的立法,如果巴勒斯坦人在ICC上對以色列提起訴訟,他們將在2017年這樣做。

重新啟用該特派團的另一個主要障礙是1987年的國會立法,該法案將巴勒斯坦解放組織(PLO)“及其附屬機構”標記為恐怖組織。



2021年5月25日,美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯與總理本傑明·內塔尼亞胡在耶路撒冷總理府講話(Haim Zach / GPO)

巴勒斯坦權力機構希望拜登同意將立法視為對行政權力的違憲限制。作為交換,它準備改變向巴勒斯坦安全囚犯和被殺害的恐怖分子支付的津貼,拉馬拉的官員告訴以色列時報。

巴勒斯坦權力機構福利計劃的變更也可能使拉馬拉遵守《 2018年泰勒力量法案》,該法案暫停了美國對巴勒斯坦權力機構的援助,只要它繼續執行現有的囚犯付款政策即可。

如果1987年的立法仍在討論中,美國將能夠重新開放巴解組織的唯一途徑是,如果拜登遵循其前任的做法,每六個月簽署一項豁免書,規定這樣做是美國的國家利益。但是,美國將需要改變過去十年中國會制定的禁止巴勒斯坦人進入國際刑事法院的規定。

星期二早些時候,布林肯在訪問美國駐耶路撒冷大使館時告訴外交官,拜登政府將派遣前高級外交官邁克爾·拉特尼到該市領導美國駐該國大使館,直到任命並確認專職大使為止。拉特尼以前曾在耶路撒冷擔任總領事。

知情人士說,週一,前國務院官員托馬斯·尼德斯(Thomas Nides)接受拜登政府的提議,擔任下任駐以色列大使。預計白宮將在未來幾週內宣布這一舉動,此後將要求參議院確認任命。


美國對巴勒斯坦人的援助

在與阿巴斯·布林肯(Abbas Blinken)舉行的會談中,美國反對單方面行動,這可能破壞公正,持久和平的前景,“無論是定居活動,房屋被拆毀,吞併領土,煽動暴力還是對犯有以下罪行的個人進行賠償”恐怖。”

布林肯說:“正如我對總統所說,我在這裡強調美國政府對與巴勒斯坦權力機構關係的承諾。”

“我們感謝美國政府對巴勒斯坦國的支持,”阿巴斯回應道。“我們希望未來充滿美國和四方領導的外交活動,以便在國際法的基礎上達成公正,全面的解決方案。”

同樣在周一的會議上,布林肯宣布政府將向國會通報其向巴勒斯坦人提供7500萬美元的發展和經濟援助的計劃。雖然秘書將其稱為“額外援助”,但國會已經為2021財政年度指定了這筆資金。

布林肯宣布,美國將向加沙提供550萬美元的緊急援助,為近東救濟工程處的緊急人道主義呼籲提供3200萬美元以上的援助。布林肯說,這些資金是美國向巴勒斯坦人提供的3.6億美元中的一部分。

布林肯說:“要求國際社會要求我們所有人幫助重建加沙,只有在有信心因為哈馬斯決定在未來發動更多的火箭彈襲擊而再次失去重建的東西時,才有意義。”

在當天晚些時候的耶路撒冷新聞發布會上,布林肯強調了美國防止加沙重建援助到達哈馬斯飛地恐怖分子統治者的目標。

他說:“哈馬斯在絕望中,在絕望中壯成長……這是在機遇真空中壯成長的運動,”他補充說,重建工作必須解決加沙人的迫切需求,同時要提供“機會,進步和物質的真正前景”改善人們的生活。”

他補充說,美國將與領導重建工作的聯合國,巴勒斯坦權力機構和其他合作夥伴一道,如果他們能成功,“哈馬斯在加沙的立足點將開始消失。”

布林肯還說,拜登政府將與國際社會合作,向巴勒斯坦人提供150萬種冠狀病毒疫苗。巴勒斯坦人尚未看到廣泛的疫苗接種運動。到目前為止,只有約11%的西岸巴勒斯坦人和2%的加沙人至少已接受一劑冠狀病毒疫苗。

布林肯星期二還在拉馬拉與巴勒斯坦民間社會領導人舉行了會議,他告訴他們,美國認為以色列和巴勒斯坦人“應同等地生活在自由,安全和繁榮中”。

週二早些時候,布林肯在耶路撒冷總理辦公室會見了總理本傑明·內塔尼亞胡,他在這里肯定了拜登對以色列安全的“個人”承諾,並表示美國將在“加沙的緊急人道主義重建”中發揮領導作用,以確保更好的發展。各方的未來。

布林肯在與內塔尼亞胡共同舉行的新聞發布會上說,“雙方的領導人”需要採取步驟“為共同的未來樹立更好的道路”。

布林肯與內塔尼亞胡的會晤進行了區域巡迴演出,他於星期二下午前往拉馬拉,然後前往約旦和埃及,以期維持上週的以色列-加沙停火協議並開展重建工作。

他還在耶路撒冷會見了國防部長本尼·甘茨,外交部長加比·阿什肯納齊和反對派領導人耶爾·拉皮德。

與哈馬斯的最新軍事對抗在星期五初的停火中結束,在加沙造成240多人死亡,在以色列造成13人死亡。以色列斷言,在加沙地帶的絕大多數死者是戰鬥人員。戰鬥於5月10日開始,當時哈馬斯向以色列城市發射了大規模火箭彈,引發了以色列國防軍的報復性罷工和11天的戰鬥。



在2021年5月10日的這張照片中,火箭從加沙地帶射向以色列。(美聯社照片/哈利勒·哈姆拉)

據以色列國防軍稱,以色列城市發射了4000多枚火箭,使該國中部和南部的平民在白天和黑夜全天沖向防空洞。

在加沙,以色列的空襲摧毀了高樓,摧毀了加沙市區的一條主要道路,使包括兒童在內的人民從廢墟下呼救。

哈馬斯公共工程部說,戰鬥中有258座建築物(約1,042個住宅和商業單位)被摧毀。另有769個單位遭到嚴重破壞,使它們無法居住,有14,536個單位受到了輕微破壞。17家醫院受損,還有53所學校受損。

聯合國稱,敵對行動期間有超過100,000人在國內流離失所。儘管許多人此後能夠重返家園,但其他人卻無家可歸。

以色列軍方表示,它不針對民用建築,並儘力減少對非戰鬥人員的傷害。它堅持認為,由於巴勒斯坦恐怖組織從加沙密集的城市向以色列發射火箭彈,它被迫在平民區開展行動。

In Ramallah, Blinken announces plans to reopen US consulate in Jerusalem

De facto mission to Palestinians was merged into embassy by Trump administration; secretary of state says he notified Netanyahu; move requires Israeli approval

By JACOB MAGID and AARON BOXERMANToday, 10:12 pm 0



Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) speaks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on May 25, 2021, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (Alex Brandon / POOL / AFP)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday announced plans to reopen the US consulate in Jerusalem that had historically served as the de facto representative to the Palestinians.

Blinken made the comments while meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah,

“As I told both Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and President Abbas, the United States will be moving forward with the process to reopen our consulate in Jerusalem. That’s an important way for our country to engage with and provide support for the Palestinian people,” Blinken told reporters while sitting alongside Abbas, during his first trip to the region as US President Joe Biden’s top diplomat.

Blinken also announced US plans to send tens of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians to assist in the reconstruction of Gaza, following the 11-day conflict between Israel and terror groups there that brought the secretary to the region.

In 2019, the Trump administration merged the 175-year-old Jerusalem consulate into the US embassy in the city, which had been transferred from Tel Aviv a year earlier. Much of the staff at the historic mission on Agron Street in downtown West Jerusalem continued their same jobs, though under a newly named Palestinian Affairs Unit formed under the larger umbrella of US relations to Israel.

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Then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo justified the move, saying it would lead to greater efficiency. However, many of the diplomats on the ground opposed the merger, and senior Palestinian officials subsequently severed contact with the Agron mission.

Biden campaigned on reopening both the consulate in Jerusalem as well as the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s mission in Washington, which was shuttered by Trump in 2018. Both moves will face legal hurdles.

Israeli approval will be required to open a diplomatic mission in its capital, and according to Axios, Netanyahu pushed back on the request, saying he’d prefer if things remain as they are.

A former US official familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel that the US expects Israel to eventually comply with the request, as Jerusalem will likely want to reserve its clashes with the administration to conversations about its efforts to return to the Iran nuclear deal.

The former official said that the Biden administration recognized the urgency of reopening the mission during the latest Gaza violence. As tensions spiked in Jerusalem in the weeks leading up to the May 10-20 war in the Strip, the US lacked an independent mission with close ties to the relevant parties and an ability to thoroughly report back to Washington, the ex-official said, acknowledging that the White House had been late in its engagement efforts aimed at de-escalation.

That realization is what led the White House to fast-track their plans to reopen the consulate, which some thought would have to wait until after a permanent government is formed in Israel, a source familiar with the matter said.

Blinken did not specify in his announcement where the consulate will be placed. The most practical spot for the mission could well be on Agron Street where its diplomats are already located. It would also allow the US to explain that the site is simply a continuation of the long-held, pre-Trump status quo. However, the Biden administration has also emphatically stated its support for a two-state solution. The Palestinians demand East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, so placing a consulate on Agron Street in West Jerusalem could be seen as a statement against that vision. However, placing the mission n East Jerusalem, indicating support for the traditional two-state paradigm, would likely cause greater tension with the Israelis who view the entire city as their capital.

It’s also not clear what the specific role of the consulate will be. The old mission on Agron was responsible for serving all residents of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Given that the vast majority of those civilians are Palestinian, the consulate was known as the de facto representative to them and its diplomats communicated regularly with PA officials.

Returning to the old paradigm would likely anger settlers and their supporters who believe they should be grouped with the rest of Israeli citizens that report to the embassy in Jerusalem, not the consulate, for their consular needs.

Reopening the PLO mission in DC could well be even more challenging. Doing so would violate Congressional legislation that ordered its shuttering if the Palestinians filed a suit against Israel at the ICC, which they did in 2017.

Another major stumbling block to reopening the mission is congressional legislation from 1987 that labels the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) “and its affiliates” a terror group.



US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on May 25, 2021 (Haim Zach / GPO)

The PA is hoping that Biden will agree to deem the legislation an unconstitutional restraint on the executive’s powers. In exchange it is prepared to make changes to its payment of stipends to Palestinian security prisoners and slain terrorists, officials in Ramallah have told The Times of Israel.

An alteration of the PA welfare program may also usher Ramallah into compliance with the 2018 Taylor Force Act, which suspended US aid to the PA as long as it continued to implement the existing prisoner payment policy.

If the 1987 legislation remains on the table, the only way the US will be able to reopen the PLO mission is if Biden follows the paths of his predecessors, signing a waiver every six months stipulating that doing so is a US national interest. However, the US would then need to alter provisions instituted by Congress over the past decade that banned the Palestinians from Washington once they went to the ICC.

Blinken, earlier on Tuesday, told diplomats during a visit to the US embassy in Jerusalem that the Biden administration would be dispatching former senior diplomat Michael Ratney to the city to head the US embassy there until a full-time ambassador is appointed and confirmed. Ratney previously served as a consul-general in Jerusalem.

On Monday, former State Department official Thomas Nides accepted the Biden administration’s offer to serve as the next ambassador to Israel, according to a source familiar with the matter. The White House is expected to announce the move in the coming weeks after which the Senate will be asked to confirm the appointment.


US aid to Palestinians

During the meeting with Abbas Blinken said the United States opposes unilateral actions which could undermine the prospects for a just, durable peace, “whether that is settlement activity, home demolitions, annexation of territory, incitement to violence or compensation of individuals who committed acts of terror.”

“As I told the president, I am here to underscore the commitment of the United States government to its relationship with the Palestinian Authority,” Blinken said.

“We thank the American state for the support it has given to the State of Palestine,” Abbas responded. “We hope that the future is full of diplomatic activities led by the United States and the Quartet, so as to reach a just, comprehensive solution based on international law.”

Also in Monday’s meeting, Blinken announced that the administration would be notifying Congress of its plan to send $75 million in development and economic assistance for the Palestinians. While the secretary referred to it as “additional aid,” this funding was already earmarked by Congress for the fiscal year of 2021.

Blinken announced that the US would provide $5.5 million in immediate disaster assistance for Gaza and a little over $32 million for UNRWA’s emergency humanitarian appeal. These funds are part of the $360 million the US is in the process of sending to the Palestinians, Blinken said.

“Asking the international community, asking all of us to help rebuild Gaza only makes sense if there is confidence that what is rebuilt is not lost again because Hamas decides to launch more rocket attacks in the future,” Blinken said.

At a Jerusalem press conference later in the day, Blinken emphasized the US goal of preventing Gaza reconstruction aid from reaching the enclave’s terrorist rulers in Hamas.

“Hamas thrives on despair, on desperation… it’s a movement that thrives on a vacuum of opportunity,” he said, adding that reconstruction efforts would have to address the immediate needs of Gazans while offering “a genuine prospect for opportunity, for progress and material improvement in people’s lives.”

He added that the US would work with the UN, which is leading the reconstruction effort, along with the PA and other partners and that if they succeed, “Hamas’s foothold in Gaza will begin to slip.”

Blinken also said the Biden administration will work with the international community to provide 1.5 million coronavirus vaccines to the Palestinians. Palestinians have yet to see a widespread vaccination campaign. So far, only 11 percent of West Bank Palestinians and 2% of Gazans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Blinken also held a meeting Tuesday with Palestinian civil society leaders in Ramallah where he told them that the US believed both Israeli and Palestinians “equally deserve to live in freedom, security, and prosperity.”

Earlier Tuesday, Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem where he affirmed Biden’s “personal” commitment to Israel’s security and said the US would take a lead role in the “urgent humanitarian reconstruction in Gaza” to ensure a better future for all sides.

“Leaders on both sides” need to take steps “to set a better course for their shared future,” Blinken at a press conference alongside Netanyahu.

Blinken’s meeting with Netanyahu launched a regional tour that saw him head to Ramallah Tuesday afternoon and then to Jordan and Egypt in a bid to shore up last week’s Israel-Gaza ceasefire and launch the reconstruction effort.

He also met with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and opposition leader Yair Lapid in Jerusalem.

The latest military confrontation with Hamas ended in a ceasefire early Friday, leaving over 240 dead in Gaza and 13 dead in Israel. Israel asserts the vast majority of the dead in the Strip were combatants. The fighting began on May 10 when Hamas launched a massive rocket barrage on Israeli cities, sparking IDF retaliatory strikes and 11 days of fighting.



In this May 10, 2021 photo, rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Over 4,000 rockets were fired at Israeli cities, according to the IDF, sending civilians throughout the center and south of the country rushing to bomb shelters at all hours of day and night.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes toppled high-rises, smashed a major thoroughfare in Gaza City’s downtown and left people, including children, screaming for help from under the rubble.

Hamas’s public works ministry said 258 buildings — around 1,042 residential and commercial units — were destroyed during the fighting. Another 769 units were severely damaged, rendering them uninhabitable, and 14,536 suffered minor damage. Seventeen hospitals were damaged, as well as 53 schools.

Over 100,000 people were internally displaced during the hostilities, according to the UN. While many have since been able to return to their dwellings, others have been left homeless.

The Israeli military says it does not target civilian structures and takes pains to minimize harm to noncombatants. It maintains it is forced to operate in civilian areas because Palestinian terror groups fire rockets at Israel from inside Gaza’s densely packed cities.

伊朗官員對核談判持樂觀態度,高級代表持謹慎態度

伊朗最高談判代表阿巴斯·阿拉奇(Abbas Araqchi)在周二最新一輪會談開始後發表講話時發出了更為謹慎的立場。

由路透社

2021年5月25日23:57


布什爾主核反應堆伊朗概覽

(照片來源:REUTERS / RAHEB HOMAVANDI)

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伊朗政府發言人阿里·拉比伊週二表示,他對德黑蘭在與世界大國舉行談判以盡快恢復2015年核協議的談判上很快達成協議持樂觀態度,儘管伊朗最高談判代表警告說,仍然存在嚴重問題。

自四月以來,伊朗與全球大國已在維也納進行談判,以製定出德黑蘭和華盛頓必須採取制裁和核活動以使其完全遵守伊朗與世界大國達成的2015年核協議的步驟。

拉比伊在新聞發布會上說:“就重大爭端達成一般性協議。在解除制裁方面,其餘案件非常小,鑑於談判進程,我們對解決其余少量和實際案件持樂觀態度。”國營網站。

伊朗最高談判代表阿巴斯·阿拉奇(Abbas Araqchi)在周二最新一輪會談開始後發表講話時發出了更為謹慎的立場。

“許多代表團希望這將是最後一輪談判……但必須謹慎行事,”阿拉奇在該協議其餘各方-伊朗,俄羅斯,中國,法國,英國和德國的會議之後說。

他告訴國家電視台說:“有待最終確定和決策的問題是重要的,但數目卻有所減少。”

美國駐伊朗特使羅伯特·馬利在會談途中在推特上說:“最新一輪會談是建設性的,並取得了有意義的進展。但仍有許多工作要做。”

華盛頓在2018年退出了該協議,促使伊朗穩步超越該協議對其核計劃的限制,該計劃旨在使其更難開發原子彈-德黑蘭否認了這一雄心壯志。

上週,伊朗總統哈桑·魯哈尼(Hassan Rouhani)表示,對石油,航運,石化,保險和央行的製裁已在會談中得到解決,儘管歐洲外交官表示,不能保證成功,仍然存在非常棘手的問題。

美國製裁可能是競選6月18日伊朗總統大選的主要問題。

國家電視台週二報導說,伊朗的選舉監督機構只批准了七名有希望的候選人的候選人資格,而在選舉中禁止強硬的司法機構首長易卜拉欣·拉伊斯(Ebrahim Raisi)的最主要溫和競爭對手。強硬派人士說,華盛頓不能被信任遵守任何核協議。

Iran official upbeat over nuclear talks, top delegate cautious

Iran's top negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, however, struck a more cautious stance when speaking after the start of the latest round of talks on Tuesday.

By REUTERS

MAY 25, 2021 23:57


A general view of the Bushehr main nuclear reactor, Iran

(photo credit: REUTERS/RAHEB HOMAVANDI)

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Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday he was optimistic over Tehran reaching an agreement soon at talks with world powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, although Iran's top negotiator cautioned that serious issues remained.

Iran and global powers have negotiated in Vienna since April to work out steps that Tehran and Washington must take on sanctions and nuclear activities to return to full compliance with Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers.

"General agreements have been reached on major disputes. On the lifting of sanctions, the remaining cases are very minor, and given the negotiation process, we are optimistic about resolving the remaining minor and practical cases," Rabiei told a news conference streamed on a state-run website.

Iran's top negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, however, struck a more cautious stance when speaking after the start of the latest round of talks on Tuesday.

"Many delegations hope this will be the last round of talks… but caution must be exercised," Araqchi said after the meeting of the remaining parties to the deal - Iran, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

"Issues which remain for finalization and decision-making are among the important, but their number has decreased," he told state TV.

On his way to the talks, US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said on Twitter: "The latest round of talks was constructive and saw meaningful progress. But much work still needs to be done."

Washington withdrew from the deal in 2018, prompting Iran to steadily overstep the accord’s limits on its nuclear programme designed to make it harder to develop an atomic bomb - an ambition Tehran denies.

Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said sanctions on oil, shipping, petrochemicals, insurance and the central bank had been addressed in the talks, though European diplomats said success was not guaranteed and very difficult issues remained.

US sanctions are likely to be a major issue in campaigning for Iran's presidential election on June 18.

State TV reported on Tuesday that Iran's election watchdog had approved the candidacy of just seven hopefuls, barring most prominent moderate rivals of hardline judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi in the election. Hardliners say Washington cannot be trusted to respect any nuclear accord.

伊朗否決7名強硬派候選人

INSS伊朗專家:為司法部長易卜拉欣·雷西(Ebrahim Raisi)成為下一任總統鋪平了道路。

Yonah的傑里米BOBTZVI JOFFRE

2021年5月25日19:13


伊朗司法機構負責人易卜拉欣·雷伊斯(Ebrahim Raisi)正在報名參加2017年伊朗總統選舉。

(照片來源:Wikimedia Commons)

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伊朗監護委員會周二取消了即將於6月18日舉行的總統大選的所有非強硬派候選人的資格,包括該國副總統和前國會發言人在內,令該國震驚。

伊朗國家安全研究所(INSS)和梅爾·阿米特情報中心(Meir Amit Intelligence Center)的專家拉茲·齊姆特(Raz Zimmt)表示,與安理會對選舉的標準干預相比,取消資格的程度是前所未有的“政治大地震”。

齊姆特(Zimmmt)估計,除了司法部長易卜拉欣·雷西(Ebrahim Raisi)之外,其餘六名候選人沒有機會,這表明伊朗最高領導人阿亞圖拉·阿里·哈梅內伊(Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)不想在這個選舉週期中抓住任何機會。

此外,哈梅內伊似乎想在最大程度上確保雷西當選總統,這也證實了先前的懷疑,即82歲的他去世後,他將成為阿亞圖拉的親手接班人。

近年來,哈梅內伊出現了多種嚴重的健康恐慌。

同樣,伊朗觀察家所有者和IDC講師Meir Javendanfar表示:“(前國會發言人)阿里·拉里賈尼(Ali Larijani)的取消參賽資格……實質上使即將舉行的伊朗總統選舉成為一匹馬。它還有可能說服更多的伊朗人遠離投票箱。”

賈文丹法爾(Javendanfar)推測,拉里賈尼(Larijani)被取消資格的原因可能與他認為伊斯蘭共和國需要與西方達成諒解的觀點有關。這就是為什麼他在2007年與穆罕默德艾哈邁迪內賈德(Mohammed)Ahmadinejad於2007年辭職,成為伊朗首席核談判代表。”

在大約600名申請者中,有7名已獲批准的候選人。

實用主義的伊朗第一副總統埃沙克·賈漢吉里(Eshaq Jahangiri)除了拉里賈尼(Larijani)之外,都令人震驚地被取消資格。拉里賈尼儘管是強硬派,但也被認為有能力從實用主義和改良派陣營中投票。

一名弱勢的改革派候選人獲得批准,但其他人則被取消資格,或者有些人,例如外交大臣賈瓦德·扎里夫(Javad Zarif),決定不參加競選。

儘管從技術上允許婦女申請,但沒有人被批准。

在伊朗,所有選舉中的潛在候選人均由監護委員會(Guardian Council)審查,該委員會由12名成員組成,負責審查所有候選人和立法,其成員由哈梅內伊直接或間接選出。

其他獲得批准的候選人包括:賽義德·賈利勒(Saeed Jalil),莫森·雷扎伊·米爾加(Mohsen Rezaee Mirgha'ed),阿里雷扎·扎卡尼(Alireza Zakani),阿米爾·侯賽因·加茲扎德·哈西米,莫森·梅拉利扎德(Mohsen Mehralizadeh)和阿卜杜勒納瑟·黑瑪蒂(Abdolnaser Hemmati)。

賈利勒過去曾擔任伊朗最高國家安全委員會秘書。當他和Raisi輸給現任伊朗總統哈桑·魯哈尼(Hassan Rouhani)時,他也參加了2013年的選舉。

米爾加德(Mirgha'ed)從1980年至1997年擔任伊斯蘭革命衛隊(Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)的指揮官。

他此前曾於2009年和2013年競選總統。

伊朗國會研究中心負責人阿里雷扎·扎卡尼(Alireza Zakani)過去兩次被取消競選總統的資格。

哈希米過去曾呼籲廢除伊朗的總統制,取而代之的是議會任命總理的製度。他曾擔任伊朗議會副議長。

一位改革派候選人梅拉利扎德(Mehralizadeh)曾擔任伊朗副總統兼伊朗國家體育組織負責人。他還在2005年競選總統,但失敗了。

赫馬蒂目前擔任伊朗中央銀行行長。他曾擔任過各種職務,包括伊朗伊斯蘭共和國廣播公司(IRIB)副總裁。

取消資格還淘汰了一些可能曾構成威脅的前IRGC高層官員,這表明神職人員階級仍然更願意在最高職位上占主導地位,即使他們與IRGC共享權力方面。

當雷西(Raisi)在2017年被魯哈尼(Rouhani)擊敗時,他獲得了近1600萬張選票,接近實際選民的40%,而魯哈尼(Rouhani)在完成第二任期後就無法再次競選。

Raisi不太致力於與世界大國達成2015年核協議,並可能會間接破壞這一協議。

另外,哈梅內伊可能已經決定暫停目前關於核協議的談判,以便萊西可以在入選後不久完成談判,並獲得強硬派陣營的榮譽。

從技術上講,哈梅內伊仍然可以親自乾預並挽回一名或多名不合格的候選人。

Iran okays 7 candidates for presidential election, nixes non-hardliners

INSS Iran expert: Way paved for Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi to be the next president.

By YONAH JEREMY BOBTZVI JOFFRE

MAY 25, 2021 19:13


Iran's Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi is seen registering for the 2017 Iranian presidential elections.

(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Iran’s Guardian Council on Tuesday disqualified all non-hardliner candidates for the upcoming June 18 presidential election, including the country’s vice president and a former parliamentary speaker, shocking the country.

Iran expert Raz Zimmt of the INSS (Institute for National Security Studies) and Meir Amit Intelligence Center, said this level of disqualifications was an unprecedented “political earthquake” even in comparison to the council’s standard interference with elections.

Zimmt estimated that the remaining six candidates besides Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi had no chance, showing that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not want to take any chances during this election cycle.

In addition, the extreme extent to which Khamenei seems to want to go to ensure Raisi’s election as president also confirms prior suspicions that he will be the ayatollah’s hand-picked successor when the 82-year-old dies.

Khamenei has had multiple serious health scares in recent years.

Likewise, Iran Observer owner and IDC lecturer Meir Javendanfar said that, “the disqualification of [former parliamentary speaker] Ali Larijani…essentially makes the upcoming Iran presidential elections a one-horse race. It’s also likely to convince more Iranians to stay away from the ballot box.”

Javendanfar surmised that the reason why Larijani “was disqualified is probably related to his view that the Islamic Republic needs to reach an understanding with the West. This is why he fell out with [Mohammed] Ahmadinejad in 2007 and resigned as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator.”

The seven approved candidates came out of around 600 who applied.

Among the shocking disqualifications, apart from Larijani, were pragmatist Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Larijani, though a hardliner, was seen as potentially being able to draw votes also from the pragmatist and reformist camps.

One weak reformist candidate was approved, but others were disqualified, or some, like Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, decided not to run.

Despite women technically being allowed to apply, none were approved.

In Iran, potential candidates in all elections are vetted by the Guardian Council, a 12-member body which reviews all candidates and legislation whose members are directly and indirectly selected by Khamenei.

The other approved candidates are: Saeed Jalil, Mohsen Rezaee Mirgha’ed, Alireza Zakani, Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, Mohsen Mehralizadeh and Abdolnaser Hemmati.

Jalil served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in Iran in the past. He ran in the 2013 elections as well, when both he and Raisi lost to current Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Mirgha’ed was commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from 1980 to 1997.

He previously ran for president in 2009 and 2013.

Alireza Zakani, head of Iran’s Parliament Research Center, had been disqualified from running for president twice in the past.

Hashemi has in the past called for the presidential system in Iran to be abolished and replaced with a system in which the parliament appoints a prime minister. He served as deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament.

Mehralizadeh, the one reformist candidate, has served as vice president of Iran and the head of the National Sports Organization of Iran. He also ran for president in 2005, but lost.

Hemmati currently serves as the governor of the Central Bank of Iran. He has served in a variety of roles including vice president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

The disqualifications also knocked off some top former IRGC officials who might have posed somewhat of a threat, showing that the clergy-class still prefer to dominate the top jobs even as they share aspects of power with the IRGC.

When Raisi was defeated by Rouhani in 2017, he garnered almost 16 million votes, close to 40% of actual voters, and Rouhani cannot run again having completed his second term.

Raisi is much less committed to the 2015 nuclear deal with the world powers and may work to indirectly undermine it.

Alternatively, Khamenei may have decided to hold up current negotiations over the nuclear deal so that Raisi can finalize them shortly after he is selected and reap credit for the hardliner camp.

Technically, Khamenei could still personally intervene and restore one or more of the disqualified candidates.

哈梅內伊希望新政能等到6月18日大選後-分析

德黑蘭已回到其最早的立場,即美國必須首先做出一切讓步,以解除制裁,然後才停止核違規。

Yonah的傑里米BOB

2021年5月25日22:38


伊朗最高領導人阿亞圖拉·阿里·哈梅內伊(Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)在先知穆罕默德誕辰之際在2020年11月3日在伊朗德黑蘭發表了虛擬演講。

(照片來源:官方KHAMENEI網站/通過路透社進行的淘汰)

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在6月18日總統大選之前,美國,伊朗與世界大國之間仍可能會達成令人驚訝的新協議

然而,越來越多的伊朗最高領導人阿亞圖拉·阿里·哈梅內伊(Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)希望這樣的協議能夠等到大選之後,屆時新的強硬派總統才能獲得榮譽。

根據美國的一再聲明,儘管需要與伊斯蘭共和國進行前幾輪談判來解決一些棘手的問題,但最近的幾輪談判似乎是哈梅內伊制定這場比賽的一種做法。

雙方定於週三再次在維也納舉行會議。

但是,德黑蘭已回到其最早的立場,即美國必須首先做出一切讓步,以解除制裁,然後才停止核違規行為。

拜登政府絕不可能接受這一立場,而哈梅內伊也知道這一點。

甚至俄羅斯和中國也拒絕這一立場,並支持華盛頓讓雙方同時做出讓步的方式。

但是,如果伊朗真的對協議沒有興趣,那麼談判可能永遠不會走那麼遠,而原子能機構的視察也不會從5月21日延長至6月24日。

6月24日是一個引人入勝的新截止日期,說明了很多。

通常,伊朗一直在處理大約30天或6天的數字,並經常宣布它早於幾天就失去了耐心。

再增加幾天似乎幾乎是公然地留出了空間,讓下一任預期的強硬派總統在6月18日之後的幾天內完成談判。

這將阻止即將離任的伊朗總統哈桑·魯哈尼(Hassan Rouhani)的實用主義陣營獲得聲望,並有可能在民意調查中幫助一名改革派或實用主義候選人。

但是,週二監護委員會的裁決似乎使計劃等到6月18日之後才能最終達成協議。

該理事會以前所未有的方式甚至對於伊斯蘭共和國的民主問題而言,也剝奪了每一個非強硬候選人的資格,並有獲勝的機會。

其中包括魯哈尼自己的副總統和前國會發言人。

顯然,哈梅內伊這次不想再冒險了,確保他親手挑選的候選人司法部長埃布拉希姆·雷西(Ebrahim Raisi)在2017年以40%的選票輸掉後獲勝。

哈梅內伊很可能根本不希望達成任何協議,或者說賴西的勝利只有保證,他甚至在選舉日之前都不會祝福達成核協議。

Khamenei wants new deal to wait until after June 18 election - Analysis

Tehran has returned to its earliest position that the US must make all concessions in lifting sanctions first, with it only ceasing nuclear violations afterward.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB

MAY 25, 2021 22:38


Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a virtual speech, on the occasion of the Prophet Mohammad's birthday, in Tehran, Iran November 3, 2020.

(photo credit: OFFICIAL KHAMENEI WEBSITE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

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There could still be a surprise new deal between the US, Iran and the world powers before the June 18 presidential election.

However, it has become more and more likely that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wants such a deal to wait until after the election, when a new hardliner president can take credit.

According to repeated US statements, though the first few rounds of negotiations with the Islamic Republic were needed to work through some hard issues, the recent rounds seem an exercise at drawing out the game by Khamenei.

The parties are due to meet in Vienna again on Wednesday.

However, Tehran has returned to its earliest position that the US must make all concessions in lifting sanctions first, with it only ceasing nuclear violations afterward.

There is no way the Biden administration will accept this position and Khamenei knows it.

Even Russia and China reject this position and support Washington’s formula of both parties making their concessions at the same time.

Yet, if Iran really had no interest in a deal, the negotiations probably would never have gotten this far and the IAEA inspections would not have been extended from May 21 until June 24.

June 24 is a fascinating new deadline which says a lot.

Usually, Iran has been dealing in round 30-day or 6-day numbers and has often announced it has run out of patience a few days early.

Adding on a few extra days seems almost blatantly to be leaving space for the next expected hardliner president to finish the negotiations in the days after June 18.

This would block the pragmatist camp of outgoing Iran President Hassan Rouhani from taking credit and potentially helping a reformist or pragmatist candidate at the polls.

But Tuesday’s ruling from the Guarding Council seemed to make the plan of waiting until after June 18 to finalize the deal even clearer.

In an unprecedented fashion even for the Islamic Republic’s problematic version of democracy, the council disqualified every non-hardliner candidate with a chance of winning.

This included Rouhani’s own vice-president and a former parliamentary speaker.

Apparently, Khamenei did not want to take any chances this time, ensuring his hand-picked candidate, Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi, would win, after he lost in 2017 with around 40% of the vote.

It is also possible that Khamenei wants no deal at all or that with Raisi’s victory all but assured, he will not bless a nuclear deal even before election day.

美國也門使節將訪問阿曼沙特阿拉伯-國家部

與伊朗結盟的胡希斯(Houthis)與沙特阿拉伯領導的軍事聯盟進行了超過六年的戰鬥,這場戰爭殺死了成千上萬人,並將也門推向飢荒的邊緣。

由路透社

2021年5月25日17:39


2020年4月2日在也門薩那舉行的集會上,一名胡賽支持者攜帶武器時繼續注視

(照片來源:REUTERS / MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI)

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美國國務院也門特使蒂姆·蘭德金(Tim Lenderking)將於週二前往沙特阿拉伯和阿曼,與政府高級官員進行會談,以期在也門達成停火協議。

與伊朗結盟的胡西斯(Houthis)與沙特阿拉伯領導的軍事聯盟進行了超過六年的戰鬥,這場戰爭殺死了成千上萬的人,也門將飢荒推向了飢荒的邊緣。

在三月份利雅得提出一項全國停火協議後,該運動使對沙特阿拉伯的跨境襲擊及其對也門天然氣豐富的馬里布的進攻保持了持續,該協議包括重啟與胡塞人控制地區的空中和海上連接。

國務院援引了胡希攻勢對馬里布的“破壞性後果”,並表示,倫德金將繼續敦促所有港口的貨物暢通無阻,並將達成國際共識以製止該攻勢。

國務院在一份聲明中說,美國特使的討論將“著眼於實現緊急的全面,全國性和可持續的停火,以確保在也門各地正常無阻地運送基本商業物品和人道主義援助,並過渡到包容的政治進程。”陳述。

倫德金將繼續與聯合國也門馬丁·格里菲斯特使合作。

US envoy for Yemen to visit Saudi Arabia, Oman -State Dept

The Iran-aligned Houthis have been battling a Saudi Arabian-led military coalition for more than six years in a war that killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

By REUTERS

MAY 25, 2021 17:39


A Houthi supporter looks on as he carries a weapon during a gathering in Sanaa, Yemen April 2, 2020

(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI)

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US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking will travel to Saudi Arabia and Oman on Tuesday for talks with senior government officials aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Yemen, the State Department said.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have been battling a Saudi Arabian-led military coalition for more than six years in a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

The movement has kept up cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and its offensive in Yemen's gas-rich Marib after Riyadh in March proposed a nationwide ceasefire deal that includes reopening air and sea links to Houthi-held areas.

The State Department cited the "devastating consequences" of the Houthi offensive on Marib, and said Lenderking will continue to press for the unimpeded flow of goods through all ports and will work on an international consensus to halt the offensive.

The U.S. envoy's discussions "will focus on achieving an urgent comprehensive, nationwide, and sustainable ceasefire to ensure the regular and unobstructed delivery of essential commercial goods and humanitarian assistance throughout Yemen and a transition to an inclusive political process," the State Department said in a statement.

Lenderking will continue to work with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, it said.

貝魯特危機蔓延,聯合國黎巴嫩問題法庭資金耗盡

關閉法庭將破壞哈里裡謀殺和其他襲擊事件中受害者家屬的希望。

通過STEPHANIE范登伯格/路透

2021年5月25日17:31


聯合國支持的黎巴嫩特別法庭的網站在2011年7月29日於新加坡拍攝的屏幕截圖中顯示了四名被謀殺政治家Rafik al-Hariri的男子的照片。

(照片來源:路透社/黎巴嫩問題特別法庭/ HANDOUT /文件照片)

參與該程序的人士說 ,為起訴2005年黎巴嫩總理拉菲克·哈里裡Rafik Hariri)被暗殺背後的人而成立的聯合國法庭,在黎巴嫩的經濟和政治危機中已經用光了資金,威脅了未來的審判計劃。

關閉法庭將破壞哈里裡謀殺和其他襲擊中受害者家屬的希望,但也要求那些要求聯合國法庭將應對去年八月貝魯特港口爆炸案負責的人繩之以法,這場爆炸案造成200人死亡,6,500人受傷。

去年,位於海牙以外的聯合國黎巴嫩問題特別法庭對真主黨前成員薩利姆·賈米爾·阿亞甚(Salim Jamil Ayyash)犯下炸彈爆炸定罪,該炸彈炸死了哈里里和其他21人。

阿亞甚(Ayyash)被缺席判處5個終身監禁,而三名據稱的同謀由於證據不足而被判無罪。

法院原定於6月16日對阿亞甚(Ayyash)進行第二次審判,他被指控在2004年和2005年哈里裡爆炸案爆發前再次暗殺和襲擊黎巴嫩政客。

聯合國秘書長安東尼奧·古特雷斯(Antonio Guterres)的發言人周二表示,他知道法院的財務問題。

聯合國副發言人法漢·哈克說:“秘書長繼續敦促各成員國和國際社會提供自願捐款,以確保支持仍在法庭上進行的獨立司法程序所需的資金。”

資金短缺之際,黎巴嫩面臨著自哈里裡遇刺以來最嚴重的動盪。該國在伊朗支持的激進組織真主黨及其盟友和哈里裡兒子的支持者之間深為兩極分化。哈里裡的兒子是薩達德·哈里裡總理。薩里德·哈里裡拒絕發表評論。

財務“非常重要”

“如果您中止法庭,如果您中止此案,您將免費贈予肇事者和那些不想伸張正義的人,”第二起案件的受害者律師尼達爾·朱爾迪(Nidal Jurdi)告訴路透社。

吉爾迪說,取消一項新的審判不僅會傷害等待本案出庭等待17年的受害人,而且會破壞整個黎巴嫩對犯罪的責任,並補充說,已致聯合國的信中對此表示關切。

他說:“這將使關聯案件的受害者和黎巴嫩的受害者感到失望,”他呼籲國際提供資金。

他說:“黎巴嫩需要全面負責。”

該法庭由2007年聯合國安理會決議創建,於2009年開放,去年的預算為5500萬歐元(6700萬美元),黎巴嫩佔該法案的49%,其餘部分由外國捐助者和聯合國成員組成。

法院女發言人瓦杰德·拉馬丹(Wajed Ramadan)對路透社說:“黎巴嫩問題特別法庭的財務狀況令人擔憂。” 她補充說:“尚未就司法程序作出任何決定,為尋找解決辦法,正在進行大量的籌款努力。”

如果餘下的案件已經完成或資金用完,聯合國將從2021年3月1日起將法庭的任務期限延長兩年或更早。

古特雷斯在2月警告說,由於黎巴嫩發生金融危機,政府的捐款不確定,並警告法院可能無法在2021年第一季度後繼續其工作。

根據聯合國文件,2021年的預算已經削減了近40%,迫使法院裁員,但黎巴嫩政府仍然無法支付其份額。

古特雷斯要求聯合國大會為2021年撥款約2500萬美元。大會在3月批准了1550萬美元。

UN tribunal for Lebanon runs out of funds as Beirut's crisis spills over

Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks.

By STEPHANIE VAN DEN BERG / REUTERS

MAY 25, 2021 17:31



The website of the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon shows the pictures of four men wanted for the assassination of statesman Rafik al-Hariri in this screen capture made in Singapore July 29, 2011

(photo credit: REUTERS/SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON/HANDOUT/FILE PHOTO)

A UN tribunal set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has run out of funding amid Lebanon's economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials, people involved in the process said.

Closing the tribunal would dash the hopes of families of victims in the Hariri murder and other attacks, but also those demanding that a UN tribunal bring to justice those responsible for the Beirut port blast last August that killed 200 and injured 6,500.

Last year the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon, located outside of The Hague, convicted former Hezbollah member Salim Jamil Ayyash for the bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others.

Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to five life terms in prison, while three alleged accomplices were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.. Both sides have appealed.

The court had been scheduled to start a second trial on June 16 against Ayyash, who is accused of another assassination and attacks against Lebanese politicians in 2004 and 2005 in the run-up to the Hariri bombing.

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said he was aware of the court's financial problems.

"The Secretary-General continues to urge member states and the international community for voluntary contributions in order to secure the funds required to support the independent judicial proceedings that remain before the tribunal," UN Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

The funding shortfall comes as Lebanon faces its worst turmoil since Hariri’s assassination. The country is deeply polarized between supporters of Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah and its allies and supporters of Hariri’s son, prime minister designate Saad al-Hariri, who declined to comment.

FINANCES "VERY CONCERNING"

"If you abort the tribunal, if you abort this case, you are giving a free gift to the perpetrators and to those who do not want justice to take place," Nidal Jurdi, a lawyer for the victims in the second case, told Reuters.

Scrapping a new trial would not only harm victims who waited 17 years for the case to come to court, but would undermine accountability for crimes in Lebanon in general, Jurdi said, adding that a letter had been sent to the UN expressing concern.

It would be "a disappointment for the victims of the connected cases and the victims of Lebanon," he said, appealing for international funding.

"Lebanon needs full accountability," he said.

Created by a 2007 UN Security Council resolution and opened in 2009, the tribunal's budget last year was 55 million euros ($67 million) with Lebanon footing 49% of the bill and foreign donors and the UN members making up the rest.

"The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is in a very concerning financial position," court spokeswoman Wajed Ramadan told Reuters. "No decision has yet been taken on judicial proceedings and there are intense fundraising efforts going on to find a solution," she added.

The UN extended the mandate of the tribunal from March 1, 2021, for two years or sooner if the remaining cases were completed or funding ran out.

Guterres warned in February that due to the financial crisis in Lebanon, the government’s contribution was uncertain and warned the court may not be able to continue its work after the first quarter of 2021.

The 2021 budget had been trimmed by nearly 40 percent, forcing job cuts at the court, but the Lebanese government has still been unable to pay its share, according to UN documents.

Guterres requested an appropriation of about $25 million from the UN General Assembly for 2021. The General Assembly approved $15.5 million in March.

隨著阿薩德加強對敘利亞的控制,許多難民失去了希望

約旦,黎巴嫩和土耳其的難民目睹了阿薩德在一場起義和內戰面前執掌政權,這場戰爭使敘利亞在經濟上遭受了破壞,對他們返回來說實在是太危險了。

由哈姆斯·拉巴(HAMS RABAH),女權主義者/路透社

2021年5月25日18:00

來自敘利亞的難民坐在約旦的一個營地旁邊。

(照片來源:路透社)

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當敘利亞難民拉拉·沙因(Lara Shahin)在敘利亞衝突爆發之初逃離大馬士革時,她認為她的家人將在幾個月內回來幫助該國重建。

九年後,整個地區的難民以虛假的假名罷免了選舉,這將賦予巴沙爾·阿薩德Bashar Assad)總統另外七年的權力-進一步粉碎了她回家的希望。

就像約旦,黎巴嫩和土耳其的數百萬難民一樣,她一直看著阿薩德緊握權力,面對起義和破壞性的內戰,敘利亞從經濟上受到了破壞,對他們返回來說太危險了。

她在約旦首都安曼(Amman)告訴路透社說:“一開始我曾經談論敘利亞的未來時,我曾經說過年輕人是未來,我們將回去重建。”

“但是一點一點地,我開始失去希望了……當我們第一次來到這裡時,我們在這裡有了家的鑰匙,我們在考慮兩三個月後我們將回到敘利亞。如果我說這種感覺,我不會說謊。現在破滅了。”

這位39歲的企業家經營手工藝品和化妝品業務,為約旦的40多名女工提供支持,這已經成為“像我的第一個國家,而不是我的第二個國家”。

她對返回的絕望得到了中東其他國家的共鳴,這些國家收容了560萬聯合國登記的敘利亞難民。

繼續觀看法國FM警告以色列即將種族隔離廣告後

只要阿薩德(Assad)繼續執政,就不會受到報應,以及敘利亞內部嚴峻的經濟狀況,這意味著很快就看不到他們的國家。

儘管2011年起義和內戰,阿薩德(Assad)於2000年繼位,並延續了家族51年的掌權,許多難民駁回了周三的選舉,因為阿薩德(Assad)連任。

“這是一場鬧劇,在欺騙國家和人民。”現年43歲的農民阿布·阿拉阿說,他是敘利亞北部霍姆斯市十個孩子的父親,住在黎巴嫩北部的一個帳篷裡。

他說:“有人摧毀了整個國家,將其分割成碎片,使數以百萬計的人逃離並摧毀了敘利亞。” “他在我們心中不再佔有一席之地-我們為什麼要投票支持他?他是殺手。”

失去合法性的“第一槍”

在舊伊斯坦布爾中心地帶的伊斯蘭堡街上,那裡是難民聚集的許多地區之一,大多數咖啡店,珠寶商,飯店和屠夫都是由敘利亞人經營的。

幾乎沒有人相信他們會離開這個容納著50萬敘利亞難民的城市-僅佔整個土耳其360萬人口的一小部分-否則敘利亞的狀況將會改善。

來自霍姆斯市的36歲的侯賽姆說:“很明顯,這些選舉不是公正的選舉。無論有無選舉,他都會獲勝。”他賣咖啡,堅果和糖果。

“在敘利亞,一切都在惡化。沒有麵包,沒有食物,一切都很昂貴。如果巴沙爾·阿薩德仍然存在,情況將會變得更糟。”

像大多數難民一樣,四十歲的艾哈邁德(Ahmed)像大多數難民一樣,只要求用他的名字來識別。在首都外圍地區爆發戰鬥後,艾哈邁德於2012年離開大馬士革。

但更糟的是來了。他在自己經營的果汁攤上說:“我姐姐死於化學武器大屠殺,我有一個哥哥在大馬士革的喬巴mar難。”

“他們摧毀了我們10年……他們無法當選。”

他說,他的大孩子現在在伊斯坦布爾的一所土耳其學校學習,他說,當局歡迎敘利亞難民。但是條件並不容易,如果有機會安全返回家園,很少有人會選擇留下。

一名35歲的大學畢業生說:“當第一枚子彈射向在敘利亞死亡的第一人時,該政權喪失了合法性。”他畢業於大馬士革的圖形設計工作,現在在伊斯蘭堡街上出售糖果。

他說:“如果舉行民主選舉,如果有人是由人民進行的干淨選舉,而不是我們所看到的這個劇院,那我將是第一個回來。”

As Assad tightens grip on Syria, many refugees lose hope

Refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have watched Assad cling to power in the face of an uprising and civil war which has left Syria economically ruined and too dangerous for them to return.

By HAMS RABAH, DOMINIC EVANS / REUTERS

MAY 25, 2021 18:00


REFUGEES FROM Syria sit next to a camp in Jordan.

(photo credit: REUTERS)

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When Syrian refugee Lara Shahin fled Damascus at the start of Syria's conflict she thought her family would be back within months to help rebuild the country.

Nine years later, an election dismissed as a sham by refugees across the region is set to grant President Bashar Assad another seven years in power - further shredding her hopes of ever going home.

Like millions of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey she has watched as Assad clung to power in the face of an uprising and devastating civil war which has left Syria economically ruined and too dangerous for them to return.

"At the beginning when I used to talk about the future of Syria I used to say us young people are the future, we will go back and rebuild," she told Reuters in the Jordanian capital Amman which has been her home since 2012.

"But bit by bit I started losing hope… When we first came we got the keys of our home here and we were thinking in two or three months we will go back to Syria. I am not lying if I say that this feeling is now shattered."

The 39-year-old entrepreneur runs a handicraft and cosmetics business supporting more than 40 women workers in Jordan, which has become "like my first country, not my second."

Her despair at returning is echoed by others in Middle East states which host 5.6 million U.N.-registered Syrian refugees.

Fear of retribution as long as Assad stays in power, as well as the dire economic conditions inside Syria, mean there is little prospect of seeing their country soon.

Many refugees dismiss Wednesday's election as rubber stamping another term in office for Assad, who succeeded his father in 2000 and has extended the family's 51-year hold on power, despite the 2011 uprising and civil war.

"This is a farce, fooling nations and people," said Abu Alaa, a 43-year-old farmer and father of 10 children from the Syrian city of Homs, living in a tent in northern Lebanon.

"Someone who destroyed a whole country and fragmented it and made millions flee and destroyed Syria," he said, referring to Assad. "He has no longer a place in our hearts - why should we vote for him? He is a killer."

LOST LEGITIMACY "WITH FIRST BULLET"

On Islambol Street in the heart of old Istanbul, one of many districts where the refugees have gathered, most coffee shops, jewelers, restaurants and butchers are run by Syrians.

Few believe they will leave a city which hosts half a million Syrian refugees - just a fraction of the 3.6 million living across Turkey - or that conditions in Syria will improve.

"It's obvious that these are not impartial elections. He will win, with or without elections," said Hussam, a 36-year-old from the city of Homs, selling coffee, nuts and sweets.

"In Syria everything's getting worse. There's no bread, no food, everything's expensive. If Bashar al-Assad remains, things will get worse."

Forty-year-old Ahmed, who like most refugees asked only to be identified by his first name, left Damascus in 2012 after fighting erupted in outlying parts of the capital.

But worse was to come. "My sister died in the chemical weapons massacre, and I had a brother who was martyred in Jobar in Damascus," he said in the fruit juice stall he runs.

"They destroyed us for 10 years… they can't be elected."

With his eldest child now studying at a Turkish school in Istanbul, he said authorities had welcomed Syrian refugees. But conditions were not easy and few would choose to stay if there were a chance to return home safely.

"The regime lost its legitimacy when the first bullet was fired on the first person who died in Syria," said a 35-year-old university graduate who left his job in graphic design in Damascus and now sells sweets in Islambol Street.

"If there were a democratic election, if someone was elected in a clean election by the people, not this theater we are seeing - I would be the first one back," he said.

前敘利亞叛軍據點準備投票

巴沙爾·阿薩德(Bashar Assad)幾乎可以肯定會贏,在選舉中與兩名晦澀的候選人對抗他的對手,而西方則認為這是一場鬧劇來加深他對權力的控制。

由路透社

2021年5月25日15:16

巴沙爾·阿薩德(Bashar Assad)

(照片來源:路透社)

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在曾經是叛軍據點的霍姆斯區巴布塔德莫爾(Bab Tadmor)的入口處 一個選舉廣告牌上掛著面帶微笑的敘利亞總統巴沙爾·阿薩德(Bashar Assad),掛在一座被炸毀的建築物的側面。

大馬士革以北160公里(100英里)的霍姆斯在敘利亞的十年戰爭中遭受了嚴重破壞。經過多年的空襲和桶裝炸彈襲擊,市中心和幾個街區幾乎被完全摧毀,但仍然處於廢墟和荒蕪之中。

海報上寫道:“我們對巴沙爾說是”。

自5月26日以來,霍姆斯將在戰後首次參加總統選舉

阿薩德幾乎可以肯定會贏得勝利,在選舉中與兩名默默無聞的候選人抗衡,他的對手和西方人認為這是一場嘲笑他掌權的鬧劇。

在通往瓦勒(Al Wa'er)的道路上,瓦勒是2017年5月政府軍落入的最後一個街區,政府張貼了海報,鼓勵選民參與。


“您在投票箱中的投票是侵略者胸部的一顆子彈,”一名張貼在被毀建築物上的海報說。

2011年,成千上萬的居民以前所未有的反抗行動在反阿薩德的示威遊行中走上霍姆斯街頭,但安全部隊猛烈鎮壓了抗議活動。叛亂組織拿起武器,平民在地下室畏縮,戰鬥蔓延至整個城市。

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38歲的奧姆·阿里(Om Ali)在她位於阿爾瓦爾(Al Waer)的家中,講述了這些年的苦難。


她說:“我們住在自己的房子裡,我們無法在有戰鬥的情況下進進出出。” “我們靠鷹嘴豆,去殼和水生存……這對我們來說是非常糟糕的情況。”


在那段時間裡,奧姆·阿里(Om Ali)說她將投票支持阿薩德(Assad),在情況變得非常嚴峻的情況下,短時間內逃離了霍姆斯(Homs),向北前往敘利亞北部與土耳其接壤的賈拉布盧斯(Jarablus)。


但是,儘管她能夠回來,但由於擔心遭到報復,許多人卻沒有回來。成千上萬的反對派戰鬥人員及其家屬也逃離了霍姆斯地區,一個又一個地逃回了國家的控制之下,政府稱之為和解協議。


這些交易遭到反對派和聯合國的批評,通常是經過數月或數年的圍困和轟炸後,阿薩德的對手被迫流離失所。

汽車修理師穆罕默德·哈拉夫(Mohamed Khalaf)從2013年至2018年離開al-Waer五年,現在也回到家中。

他還修理了自己的房屋和商店,也表示將投票支持阿薩德,以期改善生活條件。

他說:“也許事情會回到過去,上帝會幫助我們發展這種經濟。”

在納扎(Nazha)堅定的親阿薩德(Assad)地區,巨大的木板歡迎來訪者,展示著為軍隊而死的男子的畫像。

來自另一個親阿薩德社區Seteen Street的裁縫Mohamed Shamlas在戰爭中失去了兒子阿里。

阿里(Ali)的大海報於2015年去世,他為軍隊參戰而死,還有敘利亞國旗和已故總統哈菲茲·阿薩德(Hafez al-Assad)的照片,都裝飾在沙姆拉斯的客廳裡,坐在那裡,他演技高唱,唱一首讚揚現任總統的歌。沙姆拉斯說,他希望不會再有戰爭。

“我們必須忘記。你必須和我一起生活,而我必須和你一起生活。”

Former rebel stronghold in Syria prepares to vote

Bashar Assad is all but certain to win, running against two obscure candidates in an election his opponents and the West view as a farce to rubber stamp his grip on power.

By REUTERS

MAY 25, 2021 15:16


Bashar Assad

(photo credit: REUTERS)

At the entrance to Bab Tadmor, a neighborhood of Homs that was once a rebel stronghold, an election billboard showing a smiling Syrian President Bashar Assad hangs down the side of a bombed out building.

Homs, 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Damascus, suffered severe damage during Syria's ten years of war. The city center and several neighborhoods were almost entirely destroyed after years of air strikes and barrel bombs, and still lie in ruin and deserted.

"We say yes to Bashar", the poster reads.

On May 26, Homs will be voting in presidential elections for the first time since the war.

Assad is all but certain to win, running against two obscure candidates in an election his opponents and the West view as a farce to rubber stamp his grip on power.

On the road to Al Wa'er, the last neighborhood to fall to government forces in May 2017, the government has put up posters encouraging voter participation.


"Your vote in the ballot box is a bullet in the chest of the aggressor," says one poster hanging against a destroyed building.

In 2011, thousands of residents took to the streets of Homs in anti-Assad demonstrations in unprecedented acts of defiance, but security forces violently crushed the protests. Rebel groups took up arms, and fighting spread throughout the city as civilians cowered in the basements.

In her home in Al Waer, Om Ali, a 38-year old mother of six, recounts the suffering of those years.

"We lived in our house, we could not go in or out as there was fighting," she said. "We survived on chickpeas and groats and water… it was a very bad situation for us."

During that time, Om Ali, who says she will vote for Assad, fled Homs for a short period when conditions became too dire, going north to Jarablus, a town along Syria's northern border with Turkey.

But while she was able to come back, many are not, for fear of reprisals. Thousands of opposition fighters and their families also fled several Homs districts as one after the other fell back under state control, in what the government dubbed reconciliation deals.

Those deals were criticized by the opposition and the United Nations as forced displacement of Assad's opponents, often after months or years of siege and bombardment.

Mohamed Khalaf, a car mechanic who left al-Waer for five years from 2013-2018, is also now back home.

Having repaired his house and his shop, he too says he will vote for Assad in the hope that living conditions improve.

"May be things will go back to what they were and God will help us with this economy," he said.

In the the staunchly pro-Assad district of Nazha, visitors are welcomed by a huge board displaying the images of men who died fighting for the army.

Mohamed Shamlas, a tailor from another pro-Assad neighborhood, Seteen Street, lost his son Ali in the war.

A large poster of Ali, who died in 2015 fighting for the army, alongside images of the Syrian flag and the late president Hafez al-Assad, adorns Shamlas's living room, where he sits playing his oud and singing a song praising the current president. Shamlas says he hopes there will be no more war.

"We have to forget. You have to live with me and I have to live with you."

阿塞拜疆壓力。阿利耶夫與以色列進行對話,說巴庫擁有全部武器

談話還轉向了納戈爾諾-卡拉巴赫問題的持續衝突,以色列已表示支持阿塞拜疆的領土完整。

通過耶路撒冷郵報STAFF

2021年5月25日07:49


阿塞拜疆總統伊拉姆·阿利耶夫(Ilham Aliyev)於2016年12月13日在巴庫的Zagulba宮接待總理本傑明·內塔尼亞胡(Benjamin Netanyahu)

(照片來源:HAIM ZACH / GPO)

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阿塞拜疆總統伊利亞姆·阿里耶夫(Ilham Aliyev)週四在與尼扎米·甘賈維國際中心(Nizami Ganjavi International Center)進行的討論中說,在評論以色列與阿塞拜疆之間的牢固聯繫時,阿塞拜疆可以充分利用以色列的先進武器。

這次討論的主題是“南高加索地區:區域發展和合作前景”。

當反誹謗聯盟前主任亞伯拉罕·福克斯曼(Abraham Foxman)問及以色列國防軍與加沙恐怖組織之間的戰鬥中阿塞拜疆與以色列之間的關係時,阿利耶夫總統說,兩國關係牢固,兩國之間的合作正在不斷發展。區域數。

“回答關於我們與以色列的關係的問題,我想說我們的關係非常多樣化。我們是活躍的貿易夥伴,我們的貿易量正在增加。…合作的重要領域之一是國防工業。這項合作已經進行了很多年。阿塞拜疆完全可以使用以色列國防工業產品已經不是什麼秘密了。目前,我們已經處於這一領域的新進展階段。”

阿里耶夫總統還指出,兩國之間的旅遊業正在增加,導致兩國公民進行每日航班和雙向旅行。阿塞拜疆總統還指出,該國的猶太社區在建立阿塞拜疆關係方面的重要性,在阿塞拜疆社會中的舒適感和接受度以及公共機構從該州獲得的支持。

“我們互動的另一個有希望的領域是農業。如您所知,以色列已經在極其困難的氣候條件下成功建立了世界發達的農業產業。這對我們來說是一個很好的例子,我們可以在解放地區和整個國家使用這項技術。”

談話還談到了阿塞拜疆與亞美尼亞之間在納戈爾諾-卡拉巴赫地區之間的持續衝突,以色列已表示支持阿塞拜疆的領土完整。

Azerbaijani Pres. Aliyev talks Israel, says Baku has full access to weapons

The conversation also turned to the ongoing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, in which Israel has expressed support for the the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

MAY 25, 2021 07:49


Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev hosts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Zagulba Palace in Baku on December 13, 2016

(photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a discussion with The Nizami Ganjavi International Center on Thursday that his country has full access to sophisticated Israeli weaponry when commenting on the strong ties between Israel and Azerbaijan, as highlighted in a press release.

The discussion, which featured a number of former presidents, prime ministers, high-ranking officials, prominent political figures, diplomats and political scientists, was based on the theme of “The South Caucasus: Regional Development and Prospective for Cooperation.”

When asked by former Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abraham Foxman about the status of Azerbaijani-Israeli relations amid fighting between the IDF and terrorist organizations in Gaza, President Aliyev said that relations are strong and that cooperation between the two countries is growing in a number of areas.

“Answering the question about our relations with Israel, I want to say that our relations are very diverse. We are active trading partners, and the volume of our trade is increasing … One of the important areas of our cooperation is the defense industry. This collaboration has been going on for many years. It is no secret that Azerbaijan has full access to Israeli defense industry products. Right now, we are already at the stage of new progress in this area," President Aliyev said.

President Aliyev also noted that tourism between the two countries is increasing, leading to daily flights and mutual trips being carried out by citizens of both countries. The Azerbaijani President further noted the importance of the country's Jewish community in building Azerbaijan-Israel ties, their comfort and acceptance in Azerbaijani society and the support communal institutions receive from the state.

“Another promising area of our interaction is agriculture. As you know, Israel has managed to create the world's developed agricultural industry in extremely difficult climatic conditions. This is a very good example for us, and we can use this technology both in the liberated territories and in the country as a whole,” President Aliyev said.

The conversation also turned to the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in which Israel has expressed support for the the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

呼吸困難時咳嗽,納斯拉拉講話並威脅以色列

納斯拉呼籲建立一個“新方程式”:任何對耶路撒冷的侵犯都將導致區域戰爭。

TZVI JOFFRE

2021年5月25日23:55


2020年7月28日,一輛汽車駛過海報,描繪了黎巴嫩真主黨領導人塞耶德·哈桑·納斯拉拉(Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah)在黎巴嫩黎以邊界附近的Adaisseh村。

(照片來源:AZIZ TAHER / REUTERS)

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自以色列最近與加沙地帶的哈馬斯衝突結束以來,真主黨秘書長哈桑·納斯拉拉在星期二的第一次講話中警告,任何違反耶路撒冷的行為都會引起“區域戰爭” 。

納斯拉拉週二表示,由於生病,最近幾週他沒有發表任何聲明。他在整個演講中反复咳嗽,並承認呼吸困難。關於納斯拉健康的謠言早有傳聞。

在加沙行動期間,納斯拉拉沒有發表任何聲明,真主黨官員保持相對沉默,除了停火後恐怖主義運動發表的正式聲明外,僅發表了一兩個評論。儘管從黎巴嫩向以色列發射了幾枚火箭彈,但主要歸因於設在黎巴嫩的巴勒斯坦派別。當時的軍事消息來源說,未經真主黨的事先許可,各派不太可能發射火箭彈。

真主黨領導人說,加沙威脅到謝赫·賈拉和阿克薩清真寺周圍的動亂,對加沙地帶向耶路撒冷發射火箭彈表示威脅,使“敵友雙方”感到驚訝。

納斯拉拉強調,以色列“錯誤地”評估了其行動的影響,稱耶路撒冷進入了導致衝突的“非常危險的階段”。他補充說,加沙的升級是“歷史性的一步”,必須“正確理解並正確建立”。

納斯拉拉強調說,“侵犯”耶路撒冷的聖地與其他任何事情都不同,其反應與對暗殺指揮官或房屋被毀的反應是“不同的”。

真主黨領導人警告說,以色列必須了解“任何對耶路撒冷的侵犯都不會在加沙停止”的恐怖組織。

納斯拉拉說:“我們不會替代巴勒斯坦人,而是站在他們後面和旁邊。”他呼籲建立一個“新方程式”,其中任何違反耶路撒冷的行為都會導致區域戰爭,並導致“以色列的破壞”。 ”

幾天前,警方與巴勒斯坦人在聖殿山發生衝突,這是納斯拉拉的威脅。

納斯拉拉強調阿拉伯以色列人與加沙和西岸巴勒斯坦人採取統一行動的重要性。他補充說,“牆守衛行動”(巴勒斯坦人稱為“耶路撒冷之劍”)使全球舞台上的巴勒斯坦問題“復興”,並對以色列在該地區的正常化努力造成了打擊。

納斯拉拉說:“在耶路撒冷之劍之後,我可以肯定地說,世紀交易(特朗普的中東和平計劃)已經結束。” “在那之前,我以前總是模棱兩可。現在我可以肯定地說出來。”

納斯拉拉發表講話時說,真主黨是自2000年以色列從黎巴嫩南部撤軍21週年之際。

真主黨領導人說,恐怖組織現在將在五月慶祝“兩項重大勝利”:以色列從黎巴嫩撤軍和在“牆的守護者行動”中停火。

在衝突期間,從黎巴嫩向以色列發射了許多火箭,儘管分析人士認為,這些火箭是由巴勒斯坦集團而不是真主黨發射的。目前尚不清楚真主黨是否批准火箭發射。

Coughing with difficulty breathing, Nasrallah speaks and threatens Israel

Nasrallah called for the creation of a "new equation:" Any violation of Jerusalem would lead to a regional war.

By TZVI JOFFRE

MAY 25, 2021 23:55


A car drives past a poster depicting Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Adaisseh village, near the Lebanese-Israeli border, Lebanon July 28, 2020.

(photo credit: AZIZ TAHER/REUTERS)

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Any violations of Jerusalem will cause a "regional war," warned Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Tuesday in his first speech since the end of Israel's recent conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Nasrallah stated on Tuesday that he had not made any statements in recent weeks because he had been sick. He repeatedly coughed throughout the speech and admitted to having difficulty breathing. There have long been rumors regarding Nasrallah's health.

During the Gaza operation, Nasrallah did not make any statements and Hezbollah officials remained relatively quiet, with only one or two comments made besides for an official statement issued by the terrorist movement after the ceasefire. This was despite the firing of several rockets from Lebanon toward Israel, largely attributed to Palestinian factions based in Lebanon. Military sources said at the time that it was unlikely the factions fired the rockets without prior permission from Hezbollah.

The Hezbollah leader said that Gaza surprised "both friend and foe" when it carried out its threat to launch rockets at Jerusalem in response to the unrest surrounding Sheikh Jarrah and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Nasrallah stressed that Israel "misjudged" the impact of its moves, saying that Jerusalem entered a "very dangerous phase" which lead to the conflict. He added that the escalation by Gaza was a "historic step" that must be "understood properly and built upon properly."

Nasrallah stressed that "violating" holy sites in Jerusalem differs from any other matter and that the reaction would be "different" than the reaction to the assassination of commanders or destruction of homes.

The Hezbollah leader warned that Israel must understand that "any violation of Jerusalem won't stop at Gaza" terrorist groups.

"We won't substitute Palestinians, but stand behind and next to them," said Nasrallah, calling for the creation of a "new equation" in which any violation of Jerusalem would lead to a regional war and would result in "Israel's destruction."

The threat by Nasrallah comes after clashes were reported between police and Palestinians on the Temple Mount in recent days.

Nasrallah emphasized the importance of Arab-Israelis acting in a unified manner with Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He added that Operation Guardian of the Walls (referred to as Sword of Jerusalem by Palestinians) "revived" the Palestinian issue in the global arena and dealt a blow to normalization efforts by Israel in the region.

"I can definitely say after Sword of Jerusalem that the Deal of Century [Trump's middle east peace plan] is over," said Nasrallah. "Before that, I used to always equivocate. Now I can say this with certainty."

Nasrallah made the speech as Hezbollah marked 21 years since Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 on Tuesday.

The Hezbollah leader stated that the terrorist groups would now celebrate "two great victories" in May: the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and the ceasefire in Operation Guardian of the Walls.

A number of rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel during the clashes, although analysts believe that the rockets were fired by Palestinian groups and not Hezbollah. It is unclear of Hezbollah approved of the rocket launches.

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蘇老師講解國際新聞、中東與中亞歷史、中國事務、太空知識的頻道。 Diplomat's daily news review and history research on Middle East and Central Asia, China Affairs and Space ExplorationBy 蘇育平 Yuping SU

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