Hasty Peace Summit in Egypt

Hasty Peace Summit in Egypt

    Monday, October 13, 2025   No comments

Diplomatic Showmanship, War Crimes, and the Unresolved Reckoning

In a hastily convened summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, world leaders gathered under the banner of peace, hoping to forge a ceasefire agreement that might end the devastating war in Gaza. But beneath the polished veneer of diplomacy, the gathering exposed deep fractures within the international order, and the growing demand for accountability—both legal and political—for the war crimes committed over the past year.

This unexpected summit, held amid growing international outrage over the Gaza conflict, saw major power players—including Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, and the United States—jockey for position, not just to broker a truce, but to shape the post-war reality in the region. Yet, one of the most dramatic developments occurred before the summit even began: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was barred from attending, following coordinated diplomatic pressure from Turkey and Iraq.

Netanyahu Blocked Amid Diplomatic Pushback

According to multiple diplomatic sources cited by Agence France-Presse, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan led efforts to block Netanyahu’s attendance, supported by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani. Erdoğan's plane reportedly circled over the Red Sea awaiting confirmation that Netanyahu would not be present, underscoring the intensity of regional resistance to legitimizing the Israeli leader’s role in any peace process.

The Iraqi delegation went as far as threatening to boycott the summit entirely if Netanyahu were allowed to attend. Cairo, under pressure, ultimately rescinded the invitation. Netanyahu later claimed that his absence was due to Jewish holidays—a statement seen widely as a face-saving maneuver.

This moment marks a significant political humiliation for Netanyahu, who had previously been confirmed by the Egyptian presidency to attend alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. It also signals a shift in the diplomatic atmosphere: leaders once willing to engage Netanyahu now fear the political consequences of being seen as complicit in normalizing his actions during the Gaza campaign.

A Peace Built on Diplomatic Expediency

The Sharm El-Sheikh summit, rushed and reactive, symbolizes a broader crisis in international diplomacy. While it aims to cement a ceasefire, the terms remain vague, the enforcement mechanisms uncertain, and the actors around the table deeply divided on what post-war Gaza should look like.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that the U.S. had floated a controversial plan to install former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as head of an interim administration in Gaza. The plan, which included a multinational force to secure borders and facilitate reconstruction, was met with skepticism. Most recently, President Donald Trump expressed doubts about Blair’s appointment, questioning whether the former prime minister is “acceptable to everyone”—a subtle acknowledgment of Blair's legacy in the region and the broader crisis of legitimacy facing Western interventions.

The Shadow of War Crimes and Political Reckoning

Beneath the surface of diplomatic maneuvering lies the unresolved question of war crimes. The Gaza war, which has resulted in staggering civilian casualties and widespread destruction, has pushed far beyond the bounds of international law. Human rights organizations, UN experts, and even some Western legislators have begun calling for independent investigations into potential war crimes committed by all parties, but particularly by the Israeli military under Netanyahu’s leadership.

While legal accountability through institutions like the International Criminal Court remains politically fraught and unlikely in the short term, political accountability may arrive sooner. Netanyahu’s increasing isolation—evident in his exclusion from this summit—suggests that even long-standing allies are recalibrating their alliances. The symbolism of excluding a wartime leader from a peace summit is powerful: it sends a message that diplomatic immunity is not a given for those accused of gross violations of humanitarian norms.

Looking Ahead: Fragile Peace, Uncertain Justice

The summit in Egypt may temporarily halt the violence, but it does little to address the root causes of the conflict or to lay the groundwork for sustainable peace. With Netanyahu sidelined, the question becomes: who will shape Gaza’s future, and how will justice be served?

If anything, these developments show that multiple centers of power—regional and global—are now moving to reassert control over a crisis that spiraled far beyond its original boundaries. The speed and secrecy with which this summit was arranged are telling: peace is being pursued not through transparent negotiation, but through diplomatic backchannels shaped by geopolitical interests rather than legal principles or the voices of those most affected. 

Still, for those calling for justice and accountability, this moment may be a turning point. Netanyahu’s diplomatic snub could be the beginning of a broader reckoning—not just for him, but for all leaders who believe that military force can be deployed without consequence. The world may be witnessing the birth of a fragile peace—but it is a peace haunted by the specter of unresolved war crimes and the lingering demand for justice.

USA, again, alone, vetoes Gaza ceasefire resolution

USA, again, alone, vetoes Gaza ceasefire resolution

    Wednesday, June 04, 2025   No comments

A draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass in the UN Security Council on Wednesday after the United States, again, cast its veto – blocking the initiative backed by all ten elected members of the Council.

The text, co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia – collectively known as the E-10 – received 14 votes in favour, with the US casting the lone vote against.

As one of the council’s five permanent members, the US holds veto power – a negative vote that automatically blocks any resolution from going forward.

Had it been adopted, the draft would have demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” to be respected by all parties.US has opposed all UNSC resulutions that could have brought an end to the carnage in Gaza.

 Russia’s UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzya, made it clear during a Security Council session: the world can now see who genuinely wants peace, and who continues to exploit global crises for geopolitical games.

His statement came in response to the United States vetoing yet another resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

   

U.S. Ambassador Blows Hole in Israel’s Official Dual Citizenship Figures

U.S. Ambassador Blows Hole in Israel’s Official Dual Citizenship Figures

    Saturday, May 31, 2025   No comments

The issue of dual citizenship in Israel, particularly involving American-Israelis, is mired in significant statistical inconsistencies. On one hand, the Israeli government has maintained that only about 10% of its population holds dual citizenship. On the other, a recent statement by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel in May 2025 directly contradicts that figure, asserting that there are 700,000 U.S. citizens currently inside Israel. This number, when examined in the context of Israel’s demographics, immigration history, and citizenship laws, reveals deep flaws in the official Israeli narrative.

Israel’s Nationality Law and the Facilitation of Dual Citizenship

Established in 1952, the Israeli Nationality Law enables individuals to acquire citizenship by birth, marriage, naturalization, and most notably, under the Law of Return. The Law of Return has been the foundation for a significant influx of Jewish immigrants worldwide, particularly from North America, the former Soviet Union, and Europe. Crucially, Israeli law does not require immigrants to renounce their original citizenship. As such, dual and even multiple citizenships are legally permitted and in practice, quite common. This legislative openness was designed to encourage Jews to migrate to Israel while maintaining their national ties elsewhere.

From a population of less than a million in 1948, Israel has grown to 9.9 million by 2024. This growth has been driven significantly by immigration. Since Israel’s founding, 3.46 million people have immigrated, nearly half of them since 1990. Among these immigrants, major influxes came from the United States, Russia, and Europe. 

The U.S. Ambassador’s just obliterated Israel's narrative about the number of Israel citizens with dual citizenship

A key moment revealing this data discrepancy occurred when the U.S. Ambassador to Israel stated in May 2025:

“We don't need Israel's permission to conclude an agreement with the Houthis. If one of the 700,000 American citizens inside Israel is hurt by a Houthi attack, then we'll respond.”

This figure of 700,000 American citizens currently residing in Israel starkly contradicts the Israeli government’s longstanding claim that only 120,000 Israeli citizens hold U.S. citizenship. Crucially, the ambassador's statement referred specifically to U.S. citizens physically present in Israel, whether as residents, dual citizens, or extended-stay nationals. It does not include the significantly larger population of Jewish Americans who have claimed Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return but continue to reside in the United States.

This distinction is important: under Israeli law, any Jew worldwide can obtain Israeli citizenship without relinquishing their existing nationality. Many Jewish Americans—estimated at 7.2 million people—have already taken up this option, even if they have never relocated to Israel. These individuals, while not living in Israel, remain Israeli citizens on paper, often eligible for Israeli government services, voting rights (if they return), and military service for their children.

Thus, the 700,000 figure represents only a subset of U.S.-Israeli dual nationals: those currently inside Israel, according to the ambassador. When including all U.S. citizens who have acquired Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return but reside abroad, particularly in the U.S., the total number of American-Israeli dual citizens could be substantially higher.

Many countries, including Russia, the United States, France, and the UK, allow citizenship by descent. If a parent retains foreign nationality, their Israeli-born children can often claim the same. For example, Russian law does not prohibit dual citizenship and considers children of Russian citizens to be eligible for Russian nationality. Thus, second-generation Israelis born to immigrants from countries allowing citizenship by descent further swell the ranks of dual citizens—often without being officially counted.

A 2011 report on Israeli expatriates in the UK revealed that over 44% of Israelis in Britain held dual citizenship, and many more entered the UK with EU passports—an avenue unavailable without direct family links to European citizenship.

This pattern undermines Israel's claim that dual citizenship is confined to a minor share of the population. If anything, it demonstrates a widespread and systemic underreporting or obfuscation of dual nationality status for political or strategic reasons—perhaps to downplay foreign influence or demographic vulnerability.

This further exposes the deep inconsistency in the Israeli government’s claim that only 10% of its population holds dual citizenship. If 700,000 U.S. citizens live in Israel, that alone constitutes nearly 7% of Israel’s total population. When factoring in the large number of Israeli citizens with Russian, French, British, or other citizenships—and the reality of hereditary citizenship laws—it becomes mathematically impossible to reconcile this with the official 10% figure. Moreover, these figures do not account for the vast number of Israeli citizens living abroad, many of whom hold dual or multiple nationalities, nor do they capture the legal eligibility of millions of Israelis to reclaim foreign citizenship through their parents or grandparents. 

In light of the growing involvement of dual nationals in key state institutions and military operations, including in controversial conflicts like the war in Gaza, and possible violation of international law where many of these participants are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity are,  the need for transparency and accountability is more pressing than ever.

Israeli soldiers fired at foreign diplomats visiting west bank, Palestine

Israeli soldiers fired at foreign diplomats visiting west bank, Palestine

    Wednesday, May 21, 2025   No comments

Approximately one hour ago, Israeli soldiers fired at foreign diplomats from European and Arab states who were touring Jenin in the West Bank, Palestine.

The IDF has released an official statement on the incident, claiming that the delegation 'deviated from the approved route,' leading soldiers to fire 'warning shots.' 

The delegation reportedly included 35 ambassadors, consuls, and diplomats from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Jordan, China, Russia, Japan, and others.

Italy has summoned the Israeli ambassador due to the event, and soon after, France has also summoned the Israeli ambassador for an explanation.

EU foreign policy chief states, 'Any threats to the lives of diplomats are unacceptable,' in response to the attack on diplomats by Israel in Jenin.

EU foreign policy chief states, 'Any threats to the lives of diplomats are unacceptable,' in response to the attack on diplomats by Israel in Jenin.

 

 

Building Bridges Amid Turbulence: The Fourth Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference in Doha

Building Bridges Amid Turbulence: The Fourth Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference in Doha

    Saturday, May 10, 2025   No comments

The Fourth Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference commenced on May 10 in Doha, Qatar, under the theme “Strong Relations and Shared Interests.” Organized jointly by the Al Jazeera Center for Studies and Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, this event brings together senior officials, diplomats, and experts from both Arab countries and Iran. The primary goal is to promote mutual understanding, regional cooperation, and a strategic framework for enduring peace and economic collaboration in an increasingly fragile geopolitical landscape.

This year's conference, held from May 10 to 12, reflects a consistent effort to sustain dialogue between Arab states and Iran. Previous sessions addressed regional crises, security and economic solutions, and collaborative frameworks. Now, the focus has shifted to deepening cooperation and building trust. As emphasized in the opening remarks by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman of Al Jazeera Media Network, the event is taking place amid complex regional dynamics. It calls for intellectual rigor and strategic thinking to find innovative approaches for resolving conflicts and fostering stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this sentiment by underscoring Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear energy and regional harmony. He highlighted that Iran sees the acquisition of nuclear weapons as forbidden and remains engaged in good-faith negotiations with global powers. Araghchi stressed the principle of good neighborliness and reiterated Iran’s dedication to regional reconciliation through dialogue, not confrontation. He proposed institutionalizing the dialogue platform to sustain intellectual and diplomatic communication.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, now head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, added that regional prosperity depends on a shared commitment to peace. He outlined a vision of joint development, particularly in the energy sector, spanning both traditional and renewable sources. Kharrazi also addressed urgent humanitarian concerns, especially the crisis in Gaza, describing Israel’s actions as expansionist and destabilizing. He called for unified diplomatic efforts among regional powers, legal accountability for war crimes, and collaborative humanitarian initiatives, including support for displaced populations and post-war reconstruction.

The conference does not occur in a vacuum. It unfolds against a backdrop of profound regional instability—from enduring conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. These ongoing challenges have made clear the limitations of unilateral approaches and underscored the necessity for structured, inclusive dialogue. The Doha conference emerges as a critical step toward a cooperative regional architecture rooted in shared interests and historical interconnectedness.

In essence, the Fourth Arab-Iranian Dialogue Conference is more than a diplomatic gathering—it is a response to escalating crises and a testament to the power of dialogue during times of division. While significant obstacles remain, this initiative signals a collective willingness to prioritize cooperation over conflict and to seek sustainable paths toward peace and prosperity in the Middle East.

Russia's non-diplomatic response to Ukraine's threat to target world leaders attending Victory Day: our Army doesn’t engage in terrorism like yours

Russia's non-diplomatic response to Ukraine's threat to target world leaders attending Victory Day: our Army doesn’t engage in terrorism like yours

    Saturday, May 10, 2025   No comments

Dmitry Medvedev, the former President and Prime Minister of Russia and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, made a public statement in response to Ukrainian officials who reportedly said that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of foreign leaders visiting Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations.

In his statement, Medvedev used non-diplomatic language aimed at what appears to be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referencing drug use and calling him a "typhus-carrying louse." He questioned what Zelenskyy would do if Russia stated it could no longer guarantee the safety of European leaders visiting Kyiv. Medvedev also claimed that the Russian army does not engage in terrorism, in contrast to what he described as "Banderite bastards," referring to Ukrainian nationalists. He ended the message by referencing comments made about the Victory Day parade in Moscow.

Russia's foreign PM, President, and now head of the security systems in Russia, Dmitry Medvedev:

"What would the typhus-carrying louse with a coke-dusted nose do if he were told that our country can no longer “guarantee the safety” of the European leaders who arrived in Kiev today?  Chill out, rat! Unlike the Banderite bastards, our Army doesn’t engage in terrorism. Just remember today, you degenerate, all the crap you said about the Victory Parade in Moscow."