Middle East

Coinciding with the UN's Day of Prayer and Action for Children, 20 November is also the Day of Prayer and Action for Children, an initiative born in Japan to harness the potential of religious communities to protect the welfare of the youngest children. In its sixth year, religious leaders, intergovernmental representatives and NGOs gathered in the United Arab Emirates to call for concrete action against violations of the rights enshrined in the UN Convention.

The population survey, a crucial appointment to establish relations between the different communities, is scheduled for today and tomorrow. It had not been held since 1997 because of the wars. In launching the appeal, the cardinal recalls the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis ‘who live in neighbouring countries’ and that ‘diversity is a strength’. Fears among the Kurds of a ‘politicisation’ of the process.

For the Jordanian scholar, the plan that led to normalisation with Israel ‘seems dormant’ but remains a valid ‘basis’. The Middle East is a different reality today compared to the Tycoon's first term. The ‘zero conflict’ policy pursued by Riyadh privileges the economic sphere and opens up dialogue with Tehran. The centrality of the Palestinian issue to stop conflicts.

Negotiations for a 60-day suspension of the fighting, followed by the implementation of resolution 1701, continue on difficult tracks. Among the obstacles is the military doggedness of the Jewish state against the cedar country. Another of Hezbollah's historic leaders, Mohammed Afif, was the victim of a targeted attack. According to World Bank estimates, more than 100,000 homes have been destroyed in the last two months.

President Pezeshkian at the UN appealed for unity and equal rights for minorities. NGO reports reveal a picture of intimidation and marginalisation for the religious community. State propaganda portrays them as ‘impure’ and ‘agents of foreign powers’ in the service of Israel and the West. Former UN rapporteur for Iran: ‘genocidal and persecutory’ intentions.

Card Zenari remembers the founder of Mar Musa on his seventieth birthday. The monastery remains his “most living” legacy. The tragedy of the missing is compounded by that of refugees and the displaced, the ongoing war, and last year’s devastating earthquake. Increasingly frequent, Israeli raids have cut links with Lebanon which are an “umbilical cord". Pope Francis’s proclamation of the martyrs of Damascus is a “breath of fresh air”.

In the ‘favourable’ climate created by the war, the Israeli authorities yesterday demolished the Al Bustan Centre, in the neighbourhood close to the Suleiman Walls. An area that for years they have wanted to clear of Arab families in order to expand the infrastructure of the tourist park that is bringing to light all the remains of ancient Jewish Jerusalem.

The changes ordered by the emir cover seven ministries, including the posts of deputy prime minister and minister of state for defence (and intelligence). Elected seats in the Shura Council have been abolished while new Qataris will be eligible for appointment. A foreign ministry spokesperson calls "inaccurate" reports that Qatar will no longer mediate, but Hamas’s presence in the emirate appears to be on hold.

For the Israeli activist, who mediated the release of Gilad Shalit after five years of Hamas captivity, Israel’s prime minister is using antisemitism to cover up domestic scandals and exploiting the war for his own self-interest. He also criticises the Palestinian side, which must prepare the ground for elections postponed for far too long. Qatar's step back should be used to restart negotiations.

Khaled Abu Ajwa, executive director of the non-profit organisation, received the award at yesterday's ceremony in Mumbai. The award recognises the children who “inspire us every day in Lebanon, across the Levant, and around the world,” he told AsiaNews. The event was an opportunity to focus on the Syrian war, which has now lasted for 13 years. Ratan Tata, the Indian tycoon who died a few weeks ago, was also awarded.

The war waged by the Jewish state on Hezbollah has rendered nine facilities unusable and caused 178 deaths and 292 injuries among health workers alone. Almost USD 120 million will be needed to cover at least the basic expenses in the sector within the next six months. The commitment of the interim government and Minister Abiad to try to meet the needs of public and private healthcare.

In Rome, the pope and the catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East hold an historic meeting, following in the footsteps of the Common Christological Declaration signed on 11 November 1994 by Saint John Paul II and Mar Dinkha IV. Isaac the Syrian, who stressed that holiness overcomes separations, is added to the Roman Martyrology. Speaking about Mideast Christians, the pontiff said: “may the Christians of the Middle East always bear witness to the Risen Christ in those war-torn lands.”