Human Rights

South Africa: images from Palestine 'bring back terrible memories of apartheid,' says president

20 May 2021; MEMO: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has told FRANCE 24 that the situation in Gaza reminds him of the apartheid era in his own country. Israeli actions against the Palestinians, he said, evoke memories of the crimes of apartheid committed in South Africa under white rule, adding that while South Africa stands by the Palestinians, he urges both sides to sit down and negotiate.

India: Toolkit case: Cong writes to Twitter seeking suspension accounts of JP Nadda, Smriti Irani

New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) Two days after filing a police complaint in the 'Covid-19 toolkit' case, the Congress Thursday wrote to Twitter asking it to permanently suspend the accounts of BJP leaders including party chief JP Nadda and Union minister Smriti Irani for allegedly "spreading misinformation and unrest in the society".

Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end bloody 11-day war

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.

At 2 a.m. local time, just as the cease-fire took effect, life returned to the streets of Gaza. People went out of their homes, some shouting “Allahu Akbar” or whistling from balconies. Many fired in the air, celebrating the truce.

Israeli Jews send open letter calling for end to apartheid

20 May 2021; MEMO: A group of Jewish activists using the hashtag #IsraelisAgainstApartheid have condemned the actions of the Israeli government in its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, as well as its ethnic cleansing of the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem. The group addressed the international community in an open letter which has been signed by 400 people.

Leave Sheikh Jarrah, stop attacks on Al-Aqsa and we will stop rockets, Hamas says

20 May 2021; MEMO: Palestinian resistance group Hamas is willing to agree to a conditional ceasefire, ABC News has reported citing a senior official, but the Israelis have no interest in ending their onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.

The latest figures show that more than 230 people have died including 65 children, 35 women and 16 elderly people, while a further 1,700 have been injured during the Israeli offensive which began on 10 May. Twelve Israelis are also said to have been killed by.

Israeli air strike damages main telecom cable in Gaza

20 May 2021; MEMO: An Israeli air strike damaged the main fibre optic cable in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The cable connects the southern cities of the territory with the central zone, where telephone and internet connections were affected.

According to the Palestinian Telecommunication Company (Paltel), the damage can be repaired "very soon". However, if the infrastructure is damaged even further, there will be a major problem.

UN Human Rights Commissioner's 'concerns' over attacks on Palestinian citizens

20 May 2021; MEMO: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed her "particular" concern that the Israeli police "have failed to intervene when the Palestinian citizens of Israel were subjected to violent assaults." Michelle Bachelet added that she is concerned that, "The social media accounts of the extreme right-wing groups have mobilised people to bring weapons, knives and other items" to use against Palestinian citizens.

Turkey slams US claims Erdogan's remarks ignite anti-Semitism

20 May 2021; MEMO: The head of media and communications in the Turkish presidency, Fahrettin Altun, yesterday condemned the United States for claiming that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's criticism of Israel ignites "anti-Semitism".

Earlier on Tuesday, the State Department criticised what it called Erdogan's "anti-Semitic" remarks amid his denunciation of Israel's air strikes on Gaza.

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