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Seeding the peace and friendship in Yakoruda – a journey beyond cultures and religions

By
Angelina Vladikova
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26-29.09.2024 – interfaith weekend in Yakoruda, Bulgaria

On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace on 21 September, the association “Bridges – Eastern European Forum for Dialogue” held a three-day interfaith weekend in Yakoruda.

From 26 to 29 September 2024, Hotel Helier was home to a group of 42 participants from 16 different places, belonging to 4 religious traditions – Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Muslims and Protestants.

“Seeding the Peace.BG” was a continuation of United Religions Initiative Europe‘s interfaith camp held in August in The Hague, resonating with this year’s UN Day of Peace theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The format was fully funded by the Bridges Association, thanks to winning the first Prize of King Abdullah II of Jordan Award for Interfaith Harmony, in competition with 1186 events from around the world held in the framework of the UN Week of Tolerance (WIHW).

“Nestos Youth Initiatives” Association were our partners and hosts in Yakoruda.

Day 1 – Opening, weekend objectives and ice breaking

During the first day of the interreligious weekend, the official guests of the opening ceremony were the Archpriest of the Razlog Diocese, Fr. Danail from Yakoruda, Pastor Traycho Stefanov from the Evangelical Church of St. John in Sofia. The Regional Mufti of Blagoevgrad Osman Kutrev and the Secretary of the Muftiate were not only among the dignitaries, but they themselves participated in the youth forum. Among the guests were also representatives of the local authorities in Yakoruda and Belitsa – dep. Mrs. Osman and Mrs. Tabakova, as well as principals of schools in the region.

Chair of BRIDGES opened the forum and welcomed the guests and participants “to this different event, which is extremely significant for us and we believe that with it we will open a new chapter in the interreligious and intercultural dialogue in Bulgaria, with the help and active participation of all of you. It is an honour to be together, to walk on the bridge of friendship, despite our differences and in fact because of them.  Thank you for your willingness not to let our differences stand in the way of living and working together for a better world.”

The goals of the interfaith weekend were outlined, as well as the organizers’ idea of creating a sustainable structure, strengthening partnerships and planning future initiatives on a national scale. Yakoruda was chosen to be the home of Seeding the Peace.BG for a reason, it marked our long-standing partnership and friendship with Hatidje Djurina, the President of the “Youth Initiatives Nestos” Association.

She said that the local community is welcoming, ready for such initiatives and happy to host us.

After the official opening, youth leaders Silvia Trifonova and Ahmed Gorelski took the baton. With ice-breaking games the participants got to know each other and learnt their names. Then they divided into 3 working groups to work on specific topics for the next three days.

In the evening, the group was joined by special guest HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha the guardian of the Bulgarian crown.

Day 2 – Eco-justice and meeting with religious leaders in Yakoruda

The second day of the interfaith weekend “Seeding the Peace” offered colourful activities in which participants gave their bid for a better future – one in which man lives in peace with his neighbour as well as in peace with his earthly home.

The 6 young participants from Bulgaria at the URI Europe camp in The Hague gave an exciting presentation about their summer experience, which generated valuable friendships and unforgettable emotions. Each of them shared what they had learned and experienced with the other participants from the Netherlands, Belgium and Albania.

With a school bus from the municipality, the group headed to the city for meetings with the leaders of the two religious communities in the community – Muslims and Orthodox Christians. At the mosque in Yakoruda, the guests were warmly welcomed by the Regional Mufti of Blagoevgrad, Osman Kutrev, as well as by his deputy in the town and the Imam of the local mosque.

Immediately afterwards Fr. Danail welcomed the group at the St. St. Cyril and Methodius” and shared highlights from the centuries-old history of interreligious coexistence in the community.

The words of each of the religious leaders overlapped as a testimony to the sincere spirit of good neighborliness and tolerance of the people in the area.

A constant companion in the walk was HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose ancestors, it became clear, had left their spiritual and material mark on the community. We found out that even the main street of Yakoruda bears the name “Tsar Boris III”.

After lunch HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha told us about his deep family connection with Jordan, as well as about the project marking the locations of the Holy Scriptures in the country, the cradle of Christianity. A temporal, spatial and cultural bridge.

Seen from above, the world has no borders. The bird’s-eye view removes distinctions – between countries, cultures, people, religions… This is what one might think as the Prince steers a drone high in the clouds above Yakoruda in the way he captured the landscape of the holy sites in Jordan a year earlier.

The second half of the day was dedicated to the ecological values that underpin our existence. Eco-justice and our footprint on the environment, the conservation of water resources and the responsibility we each have. Youth leaders Silvia Trifonova and Ahmed Gorelski illustrated the idea of natural balance with a series of fun games, culminating in the planting of a tree (acacia) of peace and hope. Each participant “planted” symbolically around the tree a wooden heart with wild flower seeds, on which they wrote their message of peace.

The BRIDGES team and partners from Tervel and Aytos outlined short-term goals and future plans, building clubs in the country and national meetings.

Day 3 – Partnerships, trip to Razlog, cultural evening

On the third day of “Seeding the Peace”, the Holocaust and the “Jewish Question and Bulgarian Cinema” found a place in the morning sessions. Dr. Peter Gramatikov, Bridges board member and former URI Europe Global Trustee, shared briefly about the Holocaust and the projects implemented during the last few years with the support of Olga Lenguel Institute (TOLI). An interesting presentation on “The Jewish Question and Bulgarian Cinema” was given by youth facilitator Biserka Gramatikova. The session presented a film retrospective dedicated to one of the darkest pages in human history, which for a number of reasons brings us Bulgarians one of the brightest examples of tolerance and unity around a humane cause.

Immediately afterwards, each of the three groups set to work actively on their themes and creating conceptual projects.

At noon, the entire group of 42 boarded the attraction’s narrow gauge train to Razlog. During the trip, everyone enjoyed the incredibly picturesque mountain landscapes.

In Razlog we were welcomed at the train station by Kostadinka Todorova and the coordinating team of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Bulgaria and Association “International Cooperation Initiatives”. They showed us the sights of the town and treated us with typical regional dishes.

Even more remarkable was the experience in the office of the organization, where, according to an old Bulgarian custom, we were welcomed with geraniums and homemade banitsa – zelnik.  We were surprised with a rich cultural program presented by the folklore group “Dobarskite babi” , which is included in the national list of living human treasures. They greeted the group with several folk songs from the region. Especially for HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha a unique wedding ceremony was presented.

Along with this surprise, we had the opportunity to hear from Kostadinka about Anna Lindh’s mission and work globally and nationally. They devoted time to introduce mission and philosophy of the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Bulgarian Anna Lindh Network of which Association “International Initiatives for Cooperation” is the coordinator, and Bridges – Eastern European Forum for Dialogue is one of our active members. We had a chance also to discuss next steps in our partnership and specifically in the realization of a conceptual project, the “Peace Pallete” Assembly which aims to promote intercultural cooperation in the Mediterranean and sow peace and understanding between different nations, religions, ethnicities… This project can bring together the potential and competencies of BRIDGES, Anna Lindh and URI networks.

We took the narrow-gauge back to Yakoruda, where the cultural programme prepared by our talented participants was the highlight of the day. Music, poetry and theatrical interpretations beautifully interwoven in the program. Undoubtedly the icing on the cake were Agleya Kaneva and Boris Petkov, who ended the concert with jazz interpretations and songwriting.

Day 4 – Presentation of results, future plans, certificates.

Day 4 of the Interfaith Weekend “Seeding the Peace” was a time for reflection, a closing session and an emotional farewell between the youth and the organizers.

HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha presented all the young participants with certificates for their active contribution to the realisation of the event and to the establishment of a religious and cultural dialogue with the local communities. He himself received a certificate of appreciation from the Bridges Association for his contribution and support to the cause and the format.

The three youth teams presented the thematic projects they had been developing over the three previous days. United by the motto “Seeding the Peace”, the participants developed in detail three concepts: a youth camp, a concert and an international peace assembly with the working title “Palette of Peace”. During the presentation we saw many fun surprises, creative ideas, large-scale programmes, which we started to dream about together.

The weekend ended with an exciting exchange of symbolic gifts during which everyone revealed their “secret friend”. As expected, the game only confirmed the true friendship between the participants.

Before leaving, each attendee left their mark on the colorful peace tree painted by Dilek and Eileen and received a seed bracelet to plant in their home.

ODIHR opens election observation mission in the United States

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Newsdesk
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elections vote box with person voting
Photo by Arnaud Jaegers on Unsplash

WASHINGTON D.C., 1 October 2024 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 5 November general elections in the United States, following an invitation from the national authorities.

As one of the OSCE’s 57 participating States, the United States has committed to holding elections in line with OSCE standards and inviting international election observers. This is the eleventh time that ODIHR will assess federal elections in the U.S. since its first election observation mission in 2002.

This Limited Election Observation Mission is led by Tamás Meszerics and consists of 15 international experts based in Washington, D.C., and 64 long-term observers from 27 OSCE countries, who will be deployed throughout the United States from 5 October.

Observers will closely monitor all key aspects of the elections, including the campaign both online and offline, the work of the election administration, the legal framework and its implementation, respect for fundamental freedoms, campaign finance, the use of voting technologies, media coverage and the resolution of election disputes. Media monitoring will form an integral part of the observation. Observers will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

The mission will hold meetings with representatives of federal and state authorities, political parties, as well as from the judiciary, civil society and the media. On election day, ODIHR will join efforts with a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).

An interim report will be published some two weeks before the elections to update the public and media on the observation. The day after the elections, the mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report assessing the entire election process and containing recommendations will be published some months after the end of the election process. 

Left Blocked from EUROLAT Leadership Role in European Parliament

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Newsdesk
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European Parliament to discuss the resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh TheEuropeanTimes INFO
European Parliament to discuss the resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh TheEuropeanTimes INFO

During the election of vice-presidents for the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT), the Left was blocked from reclaiming the 2nd Vice-Chair position through a maneuver by right-wing groups. The far-right “Patriots for Europe” nominated their own candidate, while the center-right EPP also put forward a contender. In the second round of voting, the Left’s nominee, João Oliveira, was ultimately defeated.

“The maneuver that blocked our group from reclaiming the 2nd Vice-Chair position in EUROLAT will not stop those of us who denounce the EU’s policies of interference in Latin America,” said Left MEP João Oliveira (PCP, Portugal).

The co-chairs of the Left, Manon Aubry (La France Insoumise, France) and Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany), added: “The European Parliament’s right-wing has violated the political balance to block us from positions we rightfully hold. The only Cordon Sanitaire should apply to the far-right, who undermine democracy. This is a clear attempt to marginalize voices that denounce the EU’s complicity in violent, destabilizing actions by far-right forces. We will continue to fight against the neoliberal and militaristic agenda increasingly pushed by the EU.”

“Floating gas stations” in front of Bulgarian ports sell Russian fuel to passing ships

By
Newsroom
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Two Russian tankers “Nikolay Velikiy” and “Nikolay Gamayunov” were refueling ships leaving the ports of Varna and Burgas on the border of Bulgaria’s 24-mile contiguous zone in the Black Sea. Risky offshore fueling was probably motivated by dumping prices, which were achieved after taxes and excise duties were not charged on the fuel sold.

This was shown on several reports of companies working in the field of ship agency. A large part of them work as intermediaries for the only company in the country that trades in marine fuel – “Lukoil – Bulgaria Bunker” EOOD.

Illustration: The ship “Nikolay Velikiy (the Great)” on September 16, 2024 in position near Cape Shabla (Screenshot from the Vessel Finder system).

After two failed attempts: The daughter of the last Greek king married

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Newsroom
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The wedding was postponed twice

Greece’s Princess Theodora celebrated her long-awaited wedding to American lawyer Matthew Kumar, marking an important event almost six years in the making.

On September 28, Theodora, daughter of the late King Constantine and Queen Anna-Maria, married her American fiancé in a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony in Athens, Greece. Theodora, 41, announced her engagement to the Los Angeles lawyer in November 2018. Their wedding was postponed twice – first in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and again after the death of Theodora’s father in January 2023 on 82 years old.

The couple exchanged vows at the capital’s Cathedral of the Annunciation – the same church where Theodora’s parents were married on September 18, 1964. King Constantine and Queen Anna-Maria share nearly 60 years of marriage and five children – Princess Alexia, Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos – before the King’s death.

Theodora and Matthew, 34, were married by His Eminence Dorotheos II, Metropolitan of Syros, with several family members in attendance, the official statement said.

The bride’s brothers, Crown Prince Pavlos, 57, and Prince Philippos, 38, were chosen as best men, as was the second son of Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Maria-Canthal, Prince Achilles-Andreas. At the same time, Pavlos and Maria-Chantal’s daughter, Princess Maria-Olympia, and Princess Alexia’s eldest daughter, Arietta Morales de Grecia, were asked to be bridesmaids.

Princess Theodora and Matthew’s engagement announcement gives insight into their decision to marry in Athens.

“The couple’s desire to hold their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they have with the country, and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests,” the statement said.

Princess Theodora and Matthew had a busy week leading up to their wedding. Theodora, Matthew and her mother Queen Anna-Maria had an audience with the Archbishop of Athens on September 24, reported Hello! On September 27, they also went out to the place of their wedding – the Metropolitan Cathedral.

That evening, the bride and groom hosted a pre-wedding event at the Byzantine Museum, according to Hello!

Princess Theodora’s late father – Constantine – was the last king of Greece before the monarchy was abolished in 1973, although his descendants still represent the country as princes and princesses.

Theodora posted a heartfelt statement on Instagram after her wedding to Matthew was first called off, along with a close-up shot of the pair holding what looked like champagne glasses.

Source: People

Illustrative Photo by Bert Christiaens: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-and-white-flag-on-the-wall-6282766/

Polar bears split from brown bears 70,000 years ago, research shows

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Newsroom
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White (polar) bears separated from their brown relatives only 70,000 years ago – relatively recently by evolutionary standards, according to a Danish study.

A team of molecular ecologists from the University of Copenhagen has found that it was at this time that polar bears developed unique characteristics that allowed them to survive in a harsh and frosty environment.

In their study, published in the journal BMC Genomics, the team analyzed the genomes of polar bears, brown bears and a pair of fossilized polar bears. The researchers’ goal was to learn more about the timeline associated with the development of traits such as white fur and the ability to survive a high-cholesterol diet.

Previous research has shown that polar bears are closely related to brown bears, but until now it was not known when the two species diverged. With this study, the team from Denmark set themselves the task of finding the answer.

Some of the main differences between brown bears and polar bears are the color of their fur, but also the types of fur. Brown bears have one layer of fur and white bears two, which helps them keep warm and dry.

Polar bears have also developed the ability to eat fattier meat without it harming them. If brown bears were fed this way, they would develop cardiovascular disease and die young.

To learn more about when the two species diverged, the team analyzed the genomes of the two bear species, particularly genes related to fur type and color and cardiovascular system functions.

Comparing the genomes of 119 polar bears, 135 brown bears and the pair of fossilized polar bears, the researchers found differences dating back about 70,000 years. This suggests that they evolved their unique characteristics much sooner than previously thought.

Specifically, the team found seven genes associated with adaptation to polar conditions. The comparison also shows that the divergence was more gradual than scientists had thought.

The research team concluded that the differences in the genes related to the adaptation of the polar bears were probably influenced by their relatives who lived towards the end of the last ice age.

Breaking the Bias: Western Media and Human Rights in Bangladesh

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Newsroom
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On Friday, September 27, the Global Human Rights Defence Foundation and the student team Involve from EFR are organizing a symposium at Nieuwspoort, The Hague, about the human rights situation in Bangladesh and how Western media portrays this issue.

The symposium will specifically focus on the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, the role of Western media in reporting on it, and the impact on the Bengali community. The event will take an interactive format, featuring renowned genocide experts, former politicians, and human rights defenders. Among the speakers is Harry van Bommel, who will lead the panel discussion and pose questions to the experts.

Instead of formal speeches, the speakers will answer questions related to their expertise and fields of work, with special attention to Western media and human rights in Bangladesh, as well as the Bengali genocide of 1971. The symposium will emphasize the consequences of bias in Western media regarding the situation in Bangladesh. It will address the societal, economic, and political effects of the 1971 War of Independence. Additionally, connections will be made between Bangladesh’s past and current political and social unrest, including the impact on the Pakistani population and the broader context of the issues discussed at the symposium.

Students from the Erasmus School of Economics, affiliated with the Involve Team of the Economic Faculty Association Rotterdam (EFR), will also participate in the symposium. These students have prepared a report on Bangladesh’s complex history, focusing on the Liberation War of 1971 and its aftermath. The report highlights the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani army during the war, which still have not been officially recognized as genocide by the international community. It emphasizes the influence of media bias in shaping public opinion and policymaking.

Western media, with their focus on military conflicts and neutral tone during the Liberation War, likely downplayed human suffering, possibly due to geopolitical interests. The war had devastating consequences for Bangladesh, including the loss of intellectuals, infrastructure, and economic instability. The trauma of 1971 continues to have a lasting impact on Bengali society and politics. A sentiment analysis from the report shows that Western media’s attitude toward Bangladesh has improved over the years, while Pakistani media remains predominantly negative.

The report calls on the international community to re-evaluate the events of the 1971 Liberation War and recognize them as genocide, which could contribute to moral justice for the Bengali people and foster a more positive image of Bangladesh in global media. The symposium provides a unique opportunity to discuss these complex and pressing issues with leading experts and stakeholders. For more information about the symposium or to register, you can contact the Global Human Rights Defence Foundation.

150 Uyghurs, Tibetans, and South-Mongolians Unite for Justice on Amsterdam’s Dam Square

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Newsroom
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AMSTERDAM – On the eve of China’s National Day, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and South-Mongolians gathered on Amsterdam’s iconic Dam Square to demand justice and recognition of human rights abuses. This powerful demonstration, held on September 29, 2024, drew international attention to the ongoing persecution of ethnic minorities in China.

 A United Front for Human Rights

The protest brought together diverse communities united in their struggle against oppression. Activists and supporters from around the world stood in solidarity, calling for immediate action to address several critical issues:

1. End of Forced Labor: Protesters demanded the cessation of widespread forced labor practices, particularly in industries such as cotton and textile production.

2. Closure of Concentration Camps: Demonstrators urged the immediate shutdown of detention facilities where millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims are reportedly held.

3. Restoration of Religious Freedom: Calls were made to end the destruction of mosques and the suppression of Islamic traditions.

4. Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Protesters opposed policies of forced assimilation and advocated for the protection of Uyghur, Tibetan, and Mongolian languages and cultures.

 A Powerful Display of Global Resistance

The choice of Dam Square as the protest location proved significant. As a historic center of Dutch democracy and a popular tourist destination, it provided a highly visible platform that captured global attention.

“By uniting our voices in the heart of Amsterdam, we have shone a spotlight on the systematic oppression faced by millions,” said Amina Yusuf, lead coordinator of the event. “The international community must now move beyond words and take concrete actions to hold China accountable.”

 Impact and Outcomes

The demonstration saw a turnout of over 5,000 people, including representatives from various human rights organizations and members of the European Parliament. The event featured moving speeches from community leaders and personal testimonies from survivors, culminating in a candlelight vigil that illuminated Dam Square.

Several key outcomes emerged from the protest:

1. Increased media coverage of the human rights situation in China, with major international news outlets reporting on the event.

2. A pledge from Dutch parliamentarians to raise the issue in the next session of parliament.

3. The launch of a new coalition of NGOs dedicated to advocating for the rights of persecuted minorities in China.

 Next Steps

Organizers have announced plans for follow-up actions, including a series of educational workshops and a social media campaign to maintain momentum. They continue to call on governments worldwide to impose sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses.

About the Organizers: The protest was organized by a coalition of Uyghur, Tibetan, and Southern Mongolian rights groups, including the World Uyghur Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, and the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center.

Stop the race to the bottom: LEFT MEPs lead the charge for fair working conditions

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Newsdesk
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Stop the race to the bottom: LEFT MEPs lead the charge for fair working conditions

On 1 October, over 1,000 essential workers from nine EU countries will rally in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, calling for urgent reforms to the EU’s public procurement rules. The Left stands in solidarity with these workers, advocating for stronger collective bargaining rights, improved working conditions, and public contracts that prioritise quality services over corporate profits.  

Left MEP Li Andersson (Vasemmistoliitto, Finland), Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social affairs in the European Parliament:

“Competitiveness threatens to turn into a race to the bottom in terms of workers’ rights.  Therefore we need better public procurement rules and strong emphasis on social criteria. We must ensure good, healthy and safe jobs for the people in Europe. When using public money, we must set an example – as we must have policies that strengthen the European Social Pillar, it’s also our responsibility to promote collective bargaining.”

Across Europe, millions of workers rely on public contracts for their livelihoods. Yet, research from UNI Europa exposes a troubling reality: half of public tenders in the EU are awarded solely based on the lowest price, disregarding the social impact on workers and communities.  This practice flies in the face of the European Commission’s commitment to improving job quality and expanding collective bargaining to secure fair wages and better working conditions for all workers. 

As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gears up to revise the EU Public Procurement Directive, essential workers are making their voices heard, especially after the glaring omission of a portfolio dedicated to quality jobs and social rights.  

This is a pivotal moment – a chance to finally address the needs of the very people who make these services possible. 

The Left unequivocally opposes this broken system of public procurement that puts corporate greed ahead of workers’ livelihoods. Europe must no longer be driven by deregulation and profit-hungry corporations; instead, it should be shaped by robust public investment, the protection of workers’ rights, and an unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice. 

Lebanon crisis: 90,000 displaced in last 72 hours, warns refugee agency

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United Nations News
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Lebanon crisis: 90,000 displaced in last 72 hours, warns refugee agency

Only hours earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the Security Council that “hell is breaking loose in Lebanon” along the UN-patrolled line of separation, with exchanges of fire greater in “scope, depth and intensity” than previously.

That warning came as US President Joe Biden told the world’s leaders gathered at UN headquarters on Wednesday that an “all-out” war was possible between Hezbollah and Israel, while the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported people fleeing from Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in the early hours of Thursday morning, in response to attacks on Israel which included a first attempted missile strike on Tel Aviv.

Peacekeeping chief warns of ‘extreme danger’

In a video message issued on Thursday in New York, the head of UN Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix said: “I am deeply concerned by the sharp escalation along the blue line. As the Secretary General said last night in the Security Council, “Hell is breaking loose in Lebanon and we should all be alarmed by the escalation.”

He stressed that both the Lebanese and Israeli populations “are in extreme danger, with hundreds dead and thousands injured in recent days alone. Regional security and stability is at risk.”

“Literally thousands of families of Syrian and also Lebanese are crossing into Syria…they are women, children, men,” said UNHCR Representative in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, as the Israeli military announced strikes on more than 70 targets overnight in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and in southern Lebanon. Both areas are believed to be Hezbollah strongholds.

Border stress

Standing amid vehicles laden with belongings strapped to the roof and countless people queuing in long lines on the Syrian side of the border, Mr. Vargas Lllosa said that UNHCR was working with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide water, food, blankets and mattresses – “because many of them will be spending the night here at the border while they are processed”.

According to media reports, a 21-day ceasefire proposal by the US, European allies including France and several Arab nations has been rejected by members of Mr. Netanyahu’s government.

Latest data from Lebanon’s interior ministry indicates that 70,100 internally displaced people are now registered inside 533 government-run centres. Some 500,000 people have been displaced following months of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese authorities said.

UNHCR said that it was continuing to coordinate closely with the authorities and other humanitarian organizations to provide relief to people uprooted from their homes inside Lebanon. “Our teams are on standby to help more civilians who have fled the airstrikes, providing shelter, health care and psychosocial support,” the UN agency said on Thursday.

Echoing solidarity with those impacted by the strikes, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, appealed for “more shelters and more funds” to provide critical support to those in need. “We are on the ground distributing emergency hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping bags, and dignity kits in displacement shelters. Our team is working tirelessly to support displaced families.”

Citing the Lebanese authorities, UNHCR said that more than 90,000 people have been displaced since 23 September and “more are abandoning their homes by the minute”.

The latest hostilities have killed more than 600 people and injured 1,835.

 

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