After days of violence and more than a thousand dead, including some Christians, the al-Sharaa government has declared the operation against the Alawites on the west coast of the country over. Damascus also signed a merger agreement with the Kurds. For the archbishop of Homs, peace requires an international presence and the end of sanctions. So far, the authorities have not fulfilled their promises.
AsiaNews interviewed the only woman, a Catholic, on the Committee of Seven set up by President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Amid sanctions and economic crisis, the challenges of reconstruction affect the country and its people. For her, “Syria is not a single thing: Christians, Muslims, every ethnic group must be part of the process.” And “women should be at least 30 per cent or even more in the various bodies, starting with the Constituent Assembly.”
A Likud bill wants to impose an 80% tax on donations from foreign organisations and limit their right to appeal in court. Speaking to AsiaNews, the Development and External Relations Director of the long-standing pacifist association, which is currently demonstrating with the families of the hostages, confirms his concerns about this law. The risk of distancing Israel from liberal democracies and strengthening authoritarian tendencies.
Saudi Arabia is at the crossroads of several global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the future of the Gaza Strip and Iranian nuclear power. Under the leadership of bin Salman, the kingdom has strengthened relations with Trump and defused tensions with Tehran. The game of normalisation with Israel and the internal challenge with the United Arab Emirates for hegemony in the Gulf.
The report by Open Doors ranks the country among the top 50 in the world with the most cases of abuse, violence, targeted attacks and murders. The minority is the “most persecuted” and in the last year the phenomenon has increased. Protestant communities and historical groups such as Chaldeans, Armenians and Assyrians are in the crosshairs. The “Grey Wolves” in schools to convey clearly neo-Ottoman programmes.
The archaeological site north of Nablus linked to the memory of John the Baptist targeted by settlers (and the Israeli army) attacks. The death of a 14-year-old boy hit by a soldier's bullets. Scholar Carla Benelli to AsiaNews: ‘Heritage to be preserved, handed down and shared. Respecting the identity of all: Jews, Christians and Muslims’.
The ‘Personal Status Law’ approved without a parliamentary vote alarms activists and civil society. The fear of a ‘disintegration’ of the family and a step backwards in the role (and rights) of women. Iraqi scholar Saad Salloum: ‘Barter’ between the three main political forces Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish and linked to the interests of each'. Card. Sako: ‘Shocking’ norm that violates ‘freedom’.
A six-fold increase from 2023 amid a growing crackdown that has seen 96 worshippers sentenced. This is what emerges from a study published by activist groups and titled “The Tip of the Iceberg.” Because, in reality, violations of practise of worship are far more widespread than the published data. The role of services and the search for contacts or funds from abroad.
Israel and Hamas are ready to sign a ceasefire and release some hostages, but the end of the war remains far away. Yonatan Zeigen, son of an Israeli pacifist killed on 7 October, speaks to AsiaNews about the question of “power and interests" behind the agreement, starting with the new US administration. The historical precedent between Israel and Egypt is an example of how to overcome the conflict with the Palestinians.
Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 16,000 workers have come from India to replace the blockades in the West Bank and the Strip. Influx destined to increase thanks to targeted campaigns. In the north, farmers from Thailand are returning, among the migrants who have paid the most in terms of victims and kidnappings. From 165,000 to only 15,000 Palestinians working in Israel.
The provincial of the Franciscans custodians of the Holy Sites speaks with AsiaNews about the festivities once again without pilgrims, whose return is ‘linked to the end of the conflict’. The focus is on events in neighbouring Syria, amid ‘suspended’ or ‘moderately positive’ judgements. The Custody ‘increasingly international’ with ‘about sixty’ countries present. The ‘debt’ of Western Christians with their brothers in the Holy Land.
In an exclusive sit down with AsiaNews, Prof. Saad Salloum draws a parallel between the overthrow of the Rais in Iraq and the flight of the Syrian dictator. In both cases it took 13 years for their ouster to ‘drain’ the resources around the leader. Baghdad must ‘take tangible measures to ensure the recovery of the new Syria’ starting with the fight against drugs. Limit the role of Turkey and Iran, set up a reconstruction fund.
Lebanon reflects on the sudden collapse of the Damascus regime. Many Lebanese and displaced Syrians celebrate the day as a historic and decisive event for the future. The fear of a new tyranny to replace the one that has just been overthrown alternates with the hope for a democratic and coexisting Syria. Hezbollah has lost a powerful ally but this does not necessarily lead to a softening of its positions.
The president-elect appoints the Lebanese-American as advisor for the region. He was the main architect of the victory in the ‘swing states’. For the Tycoon he is a ‘good negotiator’ and an ‘unwavering supporter’ of peace, but at the same time he is considered an ‘ardent defender of the United States and its interests’.
Yesterday the Pontiff accepted the prelate's request for resignation, appointing auxiliary Msgr Ilgit as apostolic administrator. Satisfaction for the growth of a reality ‘of Turkish language and culture’. The earthquake of February 2023 still an open wound, need to rebuild from ‘living stones’. The testimony of refugees and displaced persons who broaden horizons on a ‘cultural, spiritual’ level.
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.
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.
In the shadow of the conflict in Gaza (and with the Lebanese Hezbollah in the north) the Israelis are perpetrating a ‘policy’ of violence against farmers and land. A state ‘policy’ that combines pro-occupation movements and institutions. With Ben Gvir a real task force against foreign activists who support the Palestinians, by means of arrests and expulsions.
With a margin of 92 to 10, the Israeli parliament approves two bills to end the activities of the UN agency for Palestinians, accused of covering for Hamas. This has sparked criticism from the international community. For UNRWA commissioner-general, the bill is “unprecedented”, while UN chief Guterres calls the agency’s work “essential”. Meanwhile, Israel plans to expropriate UNRWA’s compound to build homes for settlers in East Jerusalem.
Speaking to AsiaNews the cardinal-designate tells of a community that “is not a reality unto itself” but “shares difficulties and problems” with the rest of the population, which is “welcoming” but suffers “from sanctions.” In the cry of the poor, ecology, common home “the ground for dialogue” with Shiite Islam.
The Chaldean Patriarch speaks to AsiaNews of a “worrying” situation especially for the civilian population, which pays “the highest price.” Mediations stagnate and the “economics of war” continue to prevail, triggering on other elements of crisis, such as demographics and climate. The role of Shiite militias in the Iraqi scenario and the “scandal” that hit the Chaldean Church recently.
Msgr. Martinelli told AsiaNews that it is ‘urgent’ to relaunch the Church's ‘presence’ in the country tormented by conflict and violence. The testimony of the nuns, the work of Caritas and the local Christian reality. The Houthi missiles towards Israel, the neutrality of the Gulf and the fragile balance with Riyadh and Tehran. The Abrahamic House a model of encounter, confrontation and prayer.
Hezbollah's number two announces the fight will continue. The price is already high: over a thousand dead, incalculable devastation, and a humanitarian emergency; but in reception centres and in the streets, words of resentment against the slain secretary general are rare. France and the United States (which approved Israel’s ground operation) continue to talk about a diplomatic solution that seems still far away.
The structure, dating back to the fifth century, is subject to deterioration. Climatologists and authorities have started a collaboration to assess the long-term ‘impact and consequences’ on historical sites. But many architectural treasures are at risk, as are the country's crops and ecosystem in the face of a ‘silent enemy’ that threatens the future and is the focus of the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in these hours.
Two years on from the murder of the young Kurdish woman at the hands of the morality police, the authorities still impose silence and censorship. Her family, confined to house arrest, iis threatened with mprisonment in the case of public ceremonies. Fragility and divisions in the opposition favour the ayatollahs. The new president promises more freedom on the internet and hijab.
Two days after the attack on the Allenby crossing, Jordan goes to the polls with a population deeply marked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the government maintains its delicate diplomatic balancing act, Caritas Jordan continues its work in support of the local and refugee communities, with a particular focus on the latest arrivals from Sudan. For Lana Snobar, “Dealing with mental health significantly improves our communities.”
On 20-21 November, a curfew will be imposed in all provinces to facilitate data collection. The last census occurred in 1997, while those that followed were postponed or cancelled due to violence and domestic conflicts. For Iraqi scholar, census data will inform policy making in a country shaped by sectarian and confessional divisions.
In AsiaNews, the Jordanian scholar underlines the degree of ‘autonomy’ with which Nasrallah moves, who has turned Lebanon into the ‘front line’ to protect Tehran's interests. The militias supported by the Islamic Republic in the various countries of the Middle East are useful in pursuing the strategy of chaos. Pezeshkian ‘dialogue’ face with the West to ease sanctions.
Fr. Ibrahim Faltas warns, “The situation is dramatic” and there is “deep concern” about a future without Christians. In the crosshairs of settlers and the governing ultra-right a UNESCO heritage area near Bethlehem. Also in the West Bank an escalation of violence, destruction, arrests and deaths. Alice Kisiya's “emblematic” story. Already more than 70 Christian families have migrated since the beginning of the war.
Speaking to AsiaNews, the former ambassador of Palestine to the UN draws a parallel between the war in Gaza and the exodus of 1948. Today the Palestinians "have learnt their lesson" and know that if they leave, "there will be no return". Israel uses its “special status” to strike with impunity, but “all this won’t work”. A duplicitous United States condemns raids against civilians but supplies weapons.
