A reminder! The right to return is a fundamental principle of int. law, enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions. UN General Assembly Res 194 recognizes the Palestinian right to return, which resolves "refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date.”

The US sanctions on the ICC are part of a larger trend of resistance to the court's authority and jurisdiction. This situation reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and highlights the challenges the ICC encounters in maintaining its legitimacy and effectiveness in a world where many states are hesitant to submit to international legal oversight. In 2002, under G.W. Bush, the US unsigned the Rome Statute, citing concerns about sovereignty and potential prosecution of US nationals. In 2002, the US Congress passed ASPA, which authorized the President to use military force to extract US citizens or allies from ICC custody. The US negotiated Bilateral Immunity Agreements with over 100 countries, requiring them to exempt US nationals from ICC jurisdiction. In 2016, the African Union, led by countries like South Africa and Burundi, threatened to withdraw from the ICC, citing concerns about bias against African nations. In 2019, the Philippines, under President Duterte, became the first country to withdraw from the ICC after the court launched a preliminary examination into Duterte's "war on drugs."

RT @elonmusk: True

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The Death of Responsibility: Global Inaction and the Palestinian Crisis The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is dead, killed by hypocrisy, selective outrage, and a global order prioritizing power over principle. Nowhere is this clearer than in Palestine, where international law is ignored, war crimes go unpunished, and the world watches as an entire people face a forced exodus. The situation for Palestinians has never been more dire. The forced displacement from Gaza and potentially the West Bank is no longer theoretical; it is unfolding in real time. Palestinians are not simply being asked to endure hardship, they are being pushed toward disappearance. The choice they face is not between two bad options but between annihilation and exile. It is wrong to debate the “practicality” of Trump’s plan. Is it “practical” to expect families to stay in a land reduced to rubble, with no food, no water, and no medical care? How can we ask a Palestinian mother in Gaza to remain when her child’s survival depends on medicine that may never arrive? The real question is not about Palestinian resilience, it is about the world’s complicity. The international community has failed, not just through inaction, but through an active refusal to enforce the very principles it claims to uphold. The Responsibility to Protect, formally adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2005, has been abandoned for 15 months in Palestine, proving that global norms only matter when they serve powerful interests. Jordan, Egypt, and the broader Muslim world should not be left to shoulder this crisis alone. The burden is on the entire international system, which has enabled impunity and normalized the atrocities against Palestine. If the world continues to stand by, this will not just be a moral failure, it will be a defining moment of complicity in ethnic cleansing. Reconstruction and humanitarian access are not distant postwar objectives, they are urgent necessities that must be fought for now. This is not just about a piece of land. Palestine is a global cause, an open wound in modern history that exposes the brutal double standards of the international order long before 7 October. The world has a choice: either to enforce the principles of international law or watch as they crumble under the weight of geopolitical convenience.

Depremden aylar önce güzel Hatay’ı ve Büyükelçimiz Devrim Öztürk’ü yakından tanıma fırsatı bulmuştum. İki yıl önce deprem sabahı kendisine attığım mesaj cevapsız kalmıştı. Saygı ve rahmetle anıyorum.

We are approaching another Balfour moment that may prove even worse than the last. The chances of successfully completing the ceasefire deal in Gaza are already minimal. Trump’s plan to “overtake” the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt—despite the outright rejection of both countries—will undermine ongoing efforts to end the war. The debate surrounding Palestine has reached extreme positions. Unless political discussions are brought back to the center, the worst may still lie ahead for the Middle East. A complete disregard for human lives and international law sets a dangerous precedent for the future on a global scale. I stand with the voices of the people of Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt in rejecting this further invasion and deprivation.

Israel's recent ban on @UNRWA sparked significant backlash among pro-Palestine communities. While it's crucial to express criticism of actions that negatively impact humanitarian efforts, we must remember that the heart of the issue lies in the daily lives and basic needs of Palestinians. Targeting an organization like UNRWA does not merely undermine its operations; it exacerbates the already dire circumstances faced by Palestinian refugees. Limited access to essential services, education, and healthcare only deepens the humanitarian crisis and perpetuates the cycle of poverty and despair. However, it's important not to conflate UNRWA with the entirety of the Palestinian cause. Palestine should represent much more than any single organization, location, or aspect of the conflict. Palestinian people's identity, culture, and aspirations are profound and multifaceted. While Gaza often garners global attention, the broader Palestinian experience and struggle for self-determination encompass diverse regions, communities, and narratives. By focusing on the humanitarian impact and recognizing the wider context, we can better advocate for meaningful change and support the dignity and resilience of the Palestinian people.

Trump's 90-day suspension of foreign aid disrupts essential USAID projects and NGO initiatives in the Middle East, impacting health, education, and development programs. Vulnerable communities will suffer, and the lack of guidance beyond 90 days confuses policymakers and implementers.

Recent escalations in the West Bank, following the Trump Administration's sanctions waivers for settlers, pose a significant threat to the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. As tensions rise in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem, maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza will become increasingly challenging. It is unlikely that we can separate the events occurring in Gaza and the West Bank since October 7.

Bolu Kartalkaya’daki yangında hayatını kaybedenlere rahmet, ailelerine başsağlığı diliyorum. Bilhassa çocukların da vefat ettiği bu facia nedeniyle hepimizin içi yandı.

Some initial observations on the ceasefire deal in Gaza: The deal was long overdue. It raises the question of why a similar, if not identical, document was not signed seven months ago. The massive relief among Palestinians and the ensuing joy are heartwarming. However, it is premature to define the deal as a victory or defeat, especially considering the nearly 50,000 lives lost, the destruction of Gaza, and the uncertain future for many generations of Palestinians. This deal is not an end but should serve as the beginning of renewed discussions for a permanent truce. Humanitarian assistance efforts must be urgently intensified to ensure unimpeded and sustained aid. Additionally, Palestinians should be granted the dignity of retrieving the bodies of their loved ones buried under the rubble. It is essential to establish necessary mechanisms to prevent this deal from being misused as a distraction from the worsening situation in the West Bank. Those who take the credit seriously for facilitating such a deal have a responsibility to keep the pressure high on the parties to honor the agreed-upon commitments. They should prioritize the commitments over attempts to leverage the process for other agendas.

Keyifli sohbet için ben teşekkür ederim.

A must-read article by Chris Gunnes on the serious political and humanitarian implications of a possible ban on UNRWA. "..it would have profound political significance, particularly for the global Islamic community because it would set the seal on Israel’s illegal annexation of Jerusalem, home to Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam."

A must-read article by Chris Gunnes on the serious political and humanitarian implications of a possible ban on UNRWA. "..it would have profound political significance, particularly for the global Islamic community because it would set the seal on Israel’s illegal annexation of Jerusalem, home to Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam."

RT @GoTurkiye: Famous for its stunning coves, Selimiye is one of the most sought-after yachting destinations in Muğla. It is a must-visit d…

TV kanallarındaki tartışma programlarının içeriğine ve konuk profillerine dair eleştirileri değerlendirirken, kanal yönetimi ve program yapımcılarının sorumluluklarının göz ardı edildiği anlaşılıyor. Konukların donanımı, üslubu, düşüncelerini sarih bir şekilde dile getirebilme nitelikleri gibi unsurlar tabiatıyla programın başarısı ve içerikli bir tartışma için önem taşıyor. Bununla birlikte, Türkiye’de ve uluslararası haber kanallarında yayınlanan programları karşılaştırdığınızda, tartışmanın hazırlık aşaması ve yönlendirilmesinde bizim aleyhimize ciddi yetersizlik olduğu göze çarpıyor. Halihazırda Türkiye’de bir elin parmaklarını aşmayacak sayıda kanal / program dışında, sunucu başta olmak üzere yayın ekibinin tartışılacak konuya dair yeterli bilgi ve hazırlığa sahip olmadığı açıkça görülebilir. Genellikle yapılan bir konuda son dönemde kaydedilen gelişmeleri ve yapılan açıklamaları alt alta sıralayıp konuklara ne düşündüklerini sormaktan ibaret. Bu durum da, tartışmanın seyrini, ne kadar bilgili ve birikimli olursa olsun, konuğun inisiyatifine bırakan kısıtlayıcı bir yaklaşım. Program yapım ve yönetimi öncelikle tartışılmasını ve kamuyu bilgilendirmek istediği konu hakkında ev ödevini yapmalı, hazırlanmalı, yeterli bilgi ve hatta bir görüş sahibi olmalıdır. İçerikli ve sağlıklı bilgi almak için evvela içerikli ve doğru soruları sormak gerekiyor. Kanal bunu yaptığı ölçüde konuk ve izleyici tarafından ciddiye alınır, takip edilir ve fark yaratır. Ortadoğu başta olmak üzere dünyada değişim hızı artan dinamiklere ayak uydurmaya çalışan, belirlediği siyasa ve uygulamalarla bunlara yön vermeye gayret eden bir dış politika yürütülüyor. Medyanın da bu değişime kendisini uyarlaması ve kamunun bilgilendirilmesinde daha kaliteli ve profesyonel bir yaklaşım benimsemesi icap ediyor.

RT @swilkinsonbc: Ireland submits a declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute in the case filed by South Africa again…

My heartfelt condolences to Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid and the entire royal family on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Majda Ra’ad. May her memory be a source of comfort and strength during this difficult time. @RHCJO

RT @swilkinsonbc: The historic Galata Tower in Istanbul is illuminated with the Palestinian flag in a powerful message of solidarity with P…