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An urgently needed ceasefire and the release of the hostages: Qatar is a key player

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a group of people standing next to a collapsed building
Photo by mohammed al bardawil on Unsplash

Bientot un mois que le Hamas a mene son attaque dans le sud d’lsrael et fait pres de 1400 morts. Depuis, la riposte israelienne s’est transformee en bombardement sans fin d’un territoire deja exsangue avant la reprise de la guerre. Premieres victimes : plus de 7000 de Palestiniens dont la moitie d’enfants qui ont ete tues. Malgre les protestations internationales, Israel continue de s’acharner sur la population civile sans pour autant etre vraiment s0r de venir a bout definitivement du Hamas. II faut ajouter a cela le parametre fondamental des 240 otages israeliens et etranger qui sont toujours dans les mains des terroristes islamistes et qui servent de monnaie d’echange. En attendant les crimes de guerre se multiplient du cote de l’armee israelienne.

Violence vs. violence

II faut remettre le droit international au creur de la question israelo-palestinienne de part et d’autre. Depuis maintenant 75 ans, Israel tente de concilier sa politique avec celle de son environnement regional. Ce qui est loin d’etre facile semble depuis quelques semaines se transformer en mission quasi impossible. Paree qu’lsrael rejette toutes les resolutions des Nations Unies, imposant non seulement le retrait des territoires occupes depuis 1948, la question palestinienne s’est radicalisee d’annee en annee pour arriver a cette polarisation aujourd’hui qui divise plus que jamais deux societes qui veulent en finirde l’une et de l’autre.

Ce sionisme qui avait pour origine la creation d’un Etat d’lsrael en Palestine n’a plus rien a voir avec le projet imagine par Theodor Herzl. De socialiste, collectiviste, humaniste et 1a·fc, ii est devenu aujourd’hui encore plus sous la houlette de l’inoxydable premier Ministre Benjamin Netanyahou, un sionisme nationaliste, religieux, colonialiste, ultra-liberal et reactionnaire a l’ensemble de la region. II ne s’agit plus aujourd’hui de chercher les causes et les responsables car c’est un processus sans fin. II s’agit, pour preparer une hypothetique paix un jour, d’affirmer que gouvernement israelien et Hamas devront dans un premier temps repondre de leurs actes, a savoir d’evidents crimes de guerre, pour dans un second temps, integrer l’ensemble des composantes du paysage politique israelien et palestinien, afin de trouver une solution a l’impossible situation : et cette unique solution, c’est la creation d’un Etat palestinien sur les frontieres de la ligne verte du 5 juin 1967, et de permettre aux deux Etats de vivre en coexistence pacifique, dans le cadre d’une solution politique juste et durable. II n’y a aucune solution militaire a la question israelo-pa lestinienne.

Israel dans une impasse politique

Lattaque islamiste commise par le Hamas le 7 octobre dernier montre a quel point le camp palestinien est domine par les islamistes et que l’autorite palestinienne est reduite a Ramallah a l’impuissance.

Projet voulu par Netanyahou qui a reconnu en 2019 qu’il fallait renforcer le Hamas, responsable de nombre des maux actuellement, pour affaiblir Mahmoud Abbas, le president de l’Autorite et empecher la creation de l’Etat palestinien. Afin de satisfaire aux partis qui l’ont porte a nouveau a la fonction de premier Ministre, Netanyahou a continue a coloniser la Cisjordanie, renforcer la securite des colons dans cet territoires, fragilisant la securite du sud d’lsrael et fait du sionisme un projet voulant l’aneantissement de quelque espoir de voir la naissance prochaine d’un Etat palestinien. Pire encore : Benjamin Netanyahou aurait ete informe de l’attaque du Hamas par les renseignements israeliens, affirme son predecesseur va·fr Lapid. En effet, l’ancien Premier ministre israelien a indique avoir re9u des informations de la part des services de renseignement avant l’attaque du Hamas.

D’apres lui, son successeur Benjamin Netanyahou les aurait egalement receptionnes. C’est egalement sous « Bibi » que les ecoutes a Gaza par les renseignements auraient ete arretees depuis plus d’un an, par manque d’interet et d’utilite selon les memes services.

Faiblesse americaine et force du Qatar

II faut deja penser a l’apres-guerre, et faire appel a des mediateurs traditionnels entre les deux camps : essentiellement l’Egypte et le Qatar. Le retrait americain a fragilise l’ensemble de la situation dans la region et decomplexe nombre de groupes terroristes. Lopinion israelienne monte de plus en plus contre Netanyahou accuse d’avoir par son avidite de pouvoir fait le jeu des islamistes repondant aux provocations permanentes des membres nationalistes religieux de sa majorite. Le premier Ministre a mis en danger le pays, largement soutenu aveuglement par Washington : beaucoup pensent deja a l’apres Netanyahou car l’Etat hebreu ne peut pas continuer avec quelqu’un qui restera dans l’histoire comme le dirigeant sous lequel 1400 civils israeliens auront ete tues sur le sol israelien. Les Etats-Unis ont une double responsabilite : financer sans fin Israel et les laisser gerer sur place en se retirant. Maintenant, reuvreront-ils dans ce sens tant Washington mesure le manque de coherence et de strategie de la politique israelienne actuellement?

Le Qatar tente de negocier depuis des semaines et essaie de liberer un a un les otages. Comme ii l’a fait lors des precedentes guerres, ii se bat pour parvenir a un cessez-le-feu dont Israel ne veut pas et que toute la communaute internationale appelle de ses vreux sans pour autant y parvenir.

Juger les crimes de guerre de part et d’autre

La campagne de represailles de Tel Aviv a Gaza a done deja fait plus de 7000 morts dont 3500 enfants. Qui peut cautionner cela ? Les pays arabes ? LOccident? les Etats-Unis ? Meme Joe Biden a condamne la demesure de la riposte israelienne contre les civils gazaouis. Cette operation « Hannibal », c’est la lutte jusqu’au bout pour eradiquer le mal : Israel ne s’arretera pourtant pas jusqu’a venir a bout du Hamas. Et les otages civils ? Cela est devenu secondaire, ce qui inquiete de plus en plus les familles des prisonniers qui protestent en manifestant et en s’exprimant largement dans les medias israeliens et internationaux. C’est la que la mise en place d’une commission d’enquete en Israel jouera un role fondamental pour l’apres. Netanyahou a deja accepte de s’y plier. Mais plus encore, au niveau international, qui sanctionnera le Hamas d’une part, et Israel d’autre part pour les crimes commis ce mois-ci ? On parle de crime de guerre, mais certains parlent deja de genocide a Gaza. D’autant que l’Etat hebreu ne reconna1t pas la Cour Penale Internationale et n’est done pas contrainte de se plier ni a ses decisions ni a ses jugements. Comme le grand frere americain bien entendu !

Tournai: an ideal destination for architecture lovers

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Tournai: an ideal destination for architecture lovers

Located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium, the city of Tournai is a perfect destination for architecture lovers. With its rich historical heritage, Tournai offers a variety of architectural styles that bear witness to its glorious past.

One of the architectural gems of Tournai is its Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent Gothic cathedral is renowned for its massive tower and impressive facade. Inside, visitors can admire the stunning stained glass windows, sculptures and frescoes that tell the story of the city.

Not far from the cathedral is the Tournai Belfry, another important architectural symbol of the city. This medieval belfry, built in the 12th century, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can climb to the top of the belfry to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

While strolling the streets of Tournai, architecture enthusiasts can also admire numerous Renaissance-style buildings. The Maison de Lalaing, for example, is a fine example of the architecture of this era. With its richly decorated facades and mullioned windows, this mansion bears witness to the prosperity of the city at the time.

Another Renaissance building not to be missed is the Tournai Museum of Fine Arts. Housed in a former bishop’s palace, the museum houses an impressive collection of works of art, including paintings, sculptures and decorative art objects. Visitors can also enjoy the building’s interior architecture, with its elegant columns and vaulted ceilings.

In addition to its medieval and Renaissance architecture, Tournai also has examples of more modern architectural styles. The Natural History Museum, for example, is a contemporary building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. With its glass facade and bold structure, this museum is a true work of art in itself.

In addition to historic and modern buildings, Tournai also offers charming streets and squares that invite you to stroll. The Grand Place, for example, is a lively square lined with colorful houses and cafes. It’s the perfect place to relax and have a drink while admiring the surrounding architecture.

Outside of the city center, Tournai also offers magnificent examples of industrial architecture. The old textile factories, now rehabilitated into cultural and commercial spaces, bear witness to the city’s industrial past. These buildings, with their large windows and brick structures, are a true ode to industrial architecture.

In conclusion, Tournai is an ideal destination for architecture lovers. With its Gothic cathedral, medieval belfry, Renaissance buildings and examples of modern architecture, the city offers a variety of styles that will delight lovers of history and architectural beauty. Whether strolling the streets of the city center or exploring the more distant neighborhoods, Tournai is a true showcase of Belgian architecture and deserves an in-depth visit.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

BOOK: Islam and Islamism: Evolution, current events and questions Full sail

By
Lahcen Hammouch
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A work published by Code9, Paris-Brussels, in September 2023, from the pen of Philippe Liénard, honorary lawyer, former magistrate, history enthusiast and author of more than twenty books relating to currents of thought.

The subject is intended to be a work of historical research which highlights the differences between legend, prejudices and reality, insofar as historians, anthropologists and philologists have been able to ensure this highlighting beyond theology. It has two parts, the one which takes up the history of Islam, and the second, which underlines what Islamisms are and identifies them, warns and aims to awaken vigilance or even more, because living freely together has a price, that of acceptance of the non-liberticidal thoughts and beliefs of others, without anyone wanting to impose their own on others. Everyone remains free to adhere, or not, to a religion, but their right does not include the right to force others to embrace their views, or those of socio-political-religious strategists, who manipulate humans through their weaknesses or their youth. , to create a new world order that will send liberal democratic values ​​overboard.

Philippe Liénard does not hesitate to use, in the subtitle, a slightly mischievous and provocative with “All sails out”a maritime metaphor meaning “at full speed” referring to the situation where all of a ship’s sails are unfurled to go as fast as possible. However, the term “veil” also refers to the different garments worn by some Muslim women to cover their heads or bodies, based on varying interpretations of Quranic injunctions and timeworn traditions. The Koran does not require it, except for the private parts.

Islam is both the religion of Muslims, and, at the same time, encompasses the Muslim world, that of Muslim peoples, designating as a whole, “a set of durable and identifiable material, cultural and social traits” and, at the same time, -beyond religion proper with its faith and worship, a political power and a general movement of civilization. In short, it is the Umma imagined in the time of Mohammed. This Community has no imposed nationality. It is open to anyone who wants it, provided they are converted.

There is reason not to not confuse Islam and Islamism, a chapter of the book is also entitled “Brief History of Islam and Islamism”, two terms which refer to distinct concepts, although they are sometimes used interchangeably or misunderstood in public discourse or any amalgamation through ignorance, or anger of certain analyses, for the same reason, or by the bias of retrograde, fundamentalist, literalist currents, whose objective is not living together freely.

Islamism, and more accurately Islamisms, is a term describing a political ideology which seeks to establish a form of government or system based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law, Sharia law., an assembly of rules from various backgrounds, not to be confused with faith or religious practice in itself. This hegemonic radical political movement was invested, in part, in supporting decolonization, as was the case with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt from 1928, a secret society, which opposed modernity, emancipation in equality for all outside of a text whose retrograde and “uncivilizing” analysis for the West appears more and more in contradiction with its values. It already took the form of a flashback well before this period, but in the light of a past about which little is known, that of the first so-called pious companions of Mohammed. Let’s think about Salafism which will perform via Wahhabism. Objective: establishment of a global caliphate. And more recently, let us think of Madkhalism, which has the fairly simple doctrine of doing everything to satisfy and obey the leaders of the Gulf. We know little about the underside of these currents, which have been described a thousand times.

Islam and Islamism sometimes seem vague. It is not a monolith. Islam has trends, the vast majority being Sunni and having notably given rise to Salafism and Madkhalism. The minority is Shiite and makes noise. In all cases Islamism fuels terrorism in various facets, a retrograde vision where one must obey Allah because Allah wants it. A small minority, Babism, advocates equality between men and women. Within Islam it is necessary to distinguish between different periods and the history of an ancestral patriarchy, between religion and traditions, between belief and faith, and a fanaticism which does not include a message of love.

The author also deals with the conditions of women in Muslim societies, the question of “domestic” animals, not hesitating to provide a social and societal overview (justice, Islamic police, Muslim law, blasphemy, caricature ).

This book is described as enlightening by the press. But who does it enlighten? Not those convinced that they are right because they are right because the imam said so or because a wise exegete interpreted in his own way a hadith with hateful content.

The question remains the same for some: should we modernize Islam or Islamize modernity? Intellectuals plead for an Islam of Enlightenment, but Islamism extinguishes them, apart from the fact that this concept is specific to the history of the West, despite the so-called Golden Age of Islam. Its intellectuals have for part been muzzled.

Philippe Liénard intends to work for the progress of humanity in the freedom of beliefs, faith and adherence to this or that god, but not to the liberticidal proselytism which proliferates via Islamisms which reassure no one, not even the troops who are loyal to him. Far from an Islamophobic study, this book is a tool of fraternity intended to avoid a certain spirit which could be Islamophobic. However, we must dare to say things, look in the rearview mirror of history, and speak the truth, even if there are truths that disturb and fuel fatwas.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Metsola: “we have a duty to meet this moment”

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Court of Justice ruling on the “rule of law conditionality” mechanism

President Metsola emphasizes the responsibility of the Union to remain united and avoid further violence. The European Parliament condemns Hamas and advocates for sustainable peace. Support for Ukraine and addressing budget priorities are also discussed. The consequences of fragmented migration policies are highlighted.

In her discussion with the leaders, she said:

“As a Union, we have a responsibility to remain coherent and united. To do this is not to condone more death and violence but to avoid a dangerous regional escalation of the conflict. We must leave even a sliver of possibility that peace can ultimately be found.

The European Parliament has condemned Hamas in the strongest possible terms. We know that Hamas must be stopped.

As a Parliament we have always and will always keep insisting on respect for international law, that the humanitarian consequences of stopping Hamas must be a priority and that aid must be able to reach the innocent people in need.

Taking a strong stance against terror and making every effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are not mutually exclusive.

That is why we keep doing everything that we can to protect innocent lives. Why we work to free hostages and get aid across and why the European Parliament has called for a humanitarian pause to achieve that.

In the longer term, Europe should stand ready and willing to engage. We must continue to push for sustainable and lasting peace. For a fair two-state solution that is equitable and just. There is a role for Europe and we have a duty to meet this moment”.

On Ukraine:

“Our support will continue in humanitarian, logistical, military, re-construction and political terms.

Provided that the conditions are met, I remain hopeful that agreement to open accession talks between the EU and Ukraine, and with Moldova using the same yardstick, can be achieved by the end of this year.

Giving our European neighbours a clear European perspective is achieving its intended purpose. But while Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans are reforming and getting ready for the next steps – Europe also needs to be getting ready to do the same. This is becoming critical.

We also need to keep supporting Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation”.

On Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF):

“The EU’s budget is stretched to the limit.

We have to make sure our priorities are adequately funded. We all agree on the need to address security and migration, to continue supporting Ukraine, to invest more money in Member States struck by natural disasters, quickly and effectively.

We need to back our words up with the necessary financial resources to implement them – more progress needs to be made on the introduction of new Own Resources that we already agreed on back in 2020.

The budget is the minimum needed to provide funding to the people of Europe – our farmers, students, businesses and regions – that want to invest, innovate, modernise and develop a Europe that is competitive on the global stage.

If we want to remain credible about all that we say we want to do, we need an agreement. Postponing will not help.”

On migration:

“Recent events and the increase in arrivals of asylum seekers have once again demonstrated the consequences of our current fragmented policy on asylum and migration.

Making returns more effective through faster processing of asylum applications, improving the modalities for returns and closer operational coordination and cooperation among Member States, third countries, EU institutions and agencies should be at the top of our discussions.

Loopholes between a negative asylum decision and a return decision need to be closed.

People will look to us to deliver on all these issues before they vote next June”.

You can find the full speech of President Metsola here.

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MEPs call for Treaty changes to enhance Parliament’s role and propose EU-wide referendums

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euparl voting
The European Parliament. (Credit: EP)

The report comprising draft changes to the Treaties was endorsed by MEPs on Wednesday with 19 votes for, six against, and one abstention. The accompanying resolution was adopted with 20 votes for, six against, and no abstentions. MEPs reiterate their call to amend the EU Treaties and ask the Council to “immediately and without deliberation submit the proposals […] to the European Council” so that a Convention can be set up.

Institutional reforms and a mechanism for EU-wide referendums

MEPs are urging for a more balanced system that would enhance the role of Parliament and modify voting procedures in the Council. By significantly increasing the number of decisions made through qualified majority voting (QMV) and ordinary legislative procedure (OLP), the Union would be better equipped to take action. Additionally, Parliament would gain the authority to initiate legislation and become a co-legislator for the EU’s long-term budget.

In addition, MEPs are calling for a reversal of the current roles of the Council and Parliament in the appointment of the Commission President (to be renamed the “European Executive”). Under the proposed changes, Parliament would nominate the Commission President and the European Council would provide approval. Furthermore, MEPs suggest granting the Commission President the ability to select members based on political preferences, while ensuring a balance in terms of geography and demographics.

The draft report calls for the implementation of a mechanism for EU-wide referendums on topics related to the Union’s actions and policies (including the approval of the current Treaty reform proposals), and to improve the existing participatory mechanisms.

EU competences and subsidiarity

MEPs want to establish exclusive Union competence for the environment and biodiversity and shared competencies on public health matters, civil protection, industry, and education. They propose the advancement of Union shared competencies in the areas of energy, foreign affairs, external security and defence, external border policy in the area of freedom, security and justice, and cross-border infrastructure.

Other reform areas

The draft report also includes proposals on:

  • foreign, security and defence policy (sanctions and interim enlargement process steps decisions by QMV as well as a defence union with military capacity);
  • the single market, the economy & the budget (tackling tax havens, QMV for taxation decisions, 5 year periods for the long-term budget);
  • a social progress protocol;
  • education;
  • trade and investment;
  • non-discrimination (expanding the list of protected vulnerable groups, referring to ‘gender equality’ throughout the Treaties);
  • climate and environment (reduction of global warming and safeguarding biodiversity as aims of the Union, protection for the natural foundations of life, and animals, in line with the One Health approach);
  • energy policy (an integrated European energy union);
  • the area of freedom, justice and security (additional competences for Europol, gender-based violence and environmental crimes prosecuted under EU law); and
  • migration (common minimum citizenship and visa standards, stronger border security measures , economic and social stability and availability of skilled labour).

Next steps

The report is set to be voted on by all MEPs during the 20 – 23 November plenary session.

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Interfaith Harmony: Scientology attended the Hinduism Diwali at the European Parliament

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Swami Rameshwaranda Giri Maharaj (Fundacion Phi, Spain), Ivan Arjona Pelado (Scientology Europe) and Krishna Kripa Dasa (aka Juan Carlos Ramchandani) Vice President of the Hindu Forum Europe, at the European Parliament.
Photo credit: Marcos Soria - Swami Rameshwaranda Giri Maharaj (Fundacion Phi, Spain), Ivan Arjona Pelado (Scientology Europe) and Krishna Kripa Dasa (aka Juan Carlos Ramchandani) Vice President of the Hindu Forum Europe, at the European Parliament.

BRUSSELS, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, November 1, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — In a remarkable demonstration of interfaith harmony, the European representative of the Church of Scientology was recently invited as a special guest to the Diwali celebrations at the European Parliament. The event, organized by the Hindu Forum Europe, showcased the unity and diversity that characterizes the European community. It drew attendees from various backgrounds, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Scientologists, and individuals with different beliefs.

A joyful welcome

The EU Representative of the Church of Scientology, Ivan Arjona, who often cooperates with the diverse Hindu community not just on interfaith but on fighting for the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief for all, was especially thankful to the Vice-President of the Forum, Krishna Kripa Dasa (aka Juan Carlos Ramchandani) and the Special Spiritual Advisor Swami Rameshwaranda Giri Maharaj from Fundacion Phi (Spain) for their great and joyful welcome among the spiritualities present in Europe, participating of the vibrant colours and joyous celebrations of Diwali.

Some of the audience during the Diwali celebration at the European Parliament
Photo credit: Marcos Soria – Some of the audience during the Diwali celebration at the European Parliament

The invitation extended to the Scientology representative was a significant gesture, demonstrating the commitment of Hindus in Europe to promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus globally and signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The celebration at the European Parliament was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including members of the European Parliament, diplomats, and representatives from different religious and community organizations.

For Arjona, the Scientology representative, the invitation was “a clear indication that the European Parliament and the Hindu Forum Europe are keen to foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding among different faiths”, and expressed his gratitude for being able to participate in the Diwali celebrations, acknowledging the importance of such interfaith events in promoting peace and unity.

“The 2023 Diwali European celebration was a vivid display of Europe’s multicultural fabric, a reminder that despite our diverse beliefs and practices, we can come together to celebrate and respect each other’s faiths, promoting a more harmonious and inclusive society, especially in these difficult times,” said Arjona to some of the Hindu representatives.

Similarities between Scientology and Hinduism

Arjona says that religions “should focus on common goals and perspectives” while using their “different abilities to help improve our world”. He mentions for example the similarities between Scientology and Hinduism by quoting the late Prof. Dr. Bryan Willson who explained that:

“The mechanics of life as characterised by Scientology have considerable similarity to those embraced by both Buddhism and the Sankhya school of Hinduism. The accumulation of a reactive bank in the mind bears some similarity to the idea of karma. The concept of past lives has much in common with the theories of reincarnation in Eastern religions. The idea of acquiring access to levels of consciousness is found in Yoga (the Yoga school is closely related to that of Sankhya) and the yogin is believed to be able to attain supernatural power”.

Wilson explained also in the same scientific article:

“The claim is often made (by their followers if not by themselves) that the founders of religious movements are special agents of revelation through whom a supreme being expresses himself. This prophetic mode of religious leadership is characteristic of movements in the general Judaeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, but in the Hindu-Buddhist tradition, the religious leader is more typically seen as a master who benefits his followers by indicating to them the path to enlightenment which he has himself trodden. Hubbard conforms much more fully to this latter model. He is represented as a teacher who, rather than having had religious truths revealed to him, is said to have discovered by scientific research facts which indicate certain therapeutic practices and a metaphysical body of knowledge which explains man’s higher being and ultimate destiny”.

Scientology in Europe

Scientology is a widely accepted global religion, acknowledged by numerous experts in the field and supported by an increasing number of religious leaders. They actively collaborate to address the challenges faced by modern society. Additionally, an ever-growing number of countries, courts, and governments recognize the rights of Scientologists and their church, in line with the European framework of fundamental rights and international standards for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

How green are European cities? Green space key to well-being – but access varies

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Access to public green and blue spaces differs across Europe, according to the EEA briefing ‘Who benefits from nature in cities? Social inequalities in access to urban green and blue spaces across Europe’. The study found that cities in the north and west of Europe tend to have more green space than cities in southern and eastern Europe. The assessment looks at socio-economic and demographic inequalities in access to green and blue spaces in European cities. It also includes examples of green spaces that were designed to meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged social groups.

Value of green spaces in cities

The potential for green spaces to boost our health and well-being is increasingly recognised, both in science and policy. Accessible green areas are especially important for children, the elderly and people with lower incomes, many of whom have limited opportunities for contact with nature.

People use their local green spaces for physical exercise and social interactions, for relaxation and mental restoration. Benefits range from reduced risks of obesity in children, to better cardiovascular health and lower rates of depression in adults. Parks, trees and other green areas improve air quality, reduce noise, moderate temperatures during hot periods, and boost biodiversity in city landscapes.

How green are European cities?

Green infrastructure, which includes green and blue spaces like allotments, private gardens, parks, street trees, water and wetlands, made up on average 42% of the city area in 38 EEA member countries, according to the latest data available. The city with the highest proportion of total green space (96%) is Cáceres in Spain, where the city’s administrative area incorporates natural and semi-natural areas around the city core. The city with the lowest total green space at just 7% is Trnava in Slovakia.

Publicly accessible green areas form a relatively low share of total green space, estimated at only 3% of the total city area on average. Yet, this varies between cities, with cities such as Geneva (Switzerland), The Hague (Netherlands) and Pamplona/Iruña (Spain), seeing accessible green space account for more than 15% of the city area.

The latest data from the EEA’s urban tree cover viewer shows that average urban tree cover for cities in 38 EEA member and cooperating countries stood at 30%, with cities in Finland and Norway having the highest proportion of tree cover, while cities in Cyprus, Iceland and Malta had the lowest.

Inequalities in terms of access are present – policy and action emerge

Across Europe, green space is less available in lower income urban neighbourhoods than in higher income ones, with differences often driven by the housing market, where properties in greener areas are more expensive. While the World Health Organization recommends that all people reside within 300 metres of green space, less than half of Europe’s urban population do. National and local guidelines vary across Europe and guidance on how to make access equal across social groups is rare.

Case studies from across Europe show how targeted action to reduce inequalities in access to high-quality green spaces can maximise the health and well-being benefits of nature in cities. Involving local communities in the design and management of green space helps in considering their specific needs and has been found to foster a sense of ownership and promote use.

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/daviz/percentage-of-total-green-infrastructure/embed-chart?chart=googlechartid_chart_11&chartWidth=800&chartHeight=650&padding=fixed&customStyle=.googlechart_viewmargin-left:0px%3B&skipdaviztitle=true&skipcharttitle=true

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Armenian Prime Minister: “We must move steadily towards peace with Azerbaijan”

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Armenian Prime Minister: “We must move steadily towards peace with Azerbaijan”

In his address, Mr Pashinyan expressed his staunch defence of democratic principles against the backdrop of the multifaceted crises Armenia has been confronted with in recent years, particularly highlighting the turbulent aftermath of the 2020-2021 war and border conflict with Azerbaijan. He sought to defy those claiming that Armenia is suffering because it is a democracy, instead saying that his country would be paralysed and lose its independence and sovereignty if it was not democratic.

Referring to Azerbaijan’s recent attack and recapture of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said that Baku did so in “fulfilment of its long-standing policy of ethnic cleansing”. He also described the horrible humanitarian situation created by Azerbaijan’s long blockade of the Lachin corridor and offered a sharp rebuke to Moscow after Baku’s latest offensive.

“When hundreds of thousands of Armenians were fleeing from Nagorno Karabakh to the Republic of Armenia, not only did our allies in the security sector refuse to help us, but they also made public calls for a change of power in Armenia, to overthrow the democratic government”, he said. “But the people of Armenia united for their own independence, sovereignty, democracy, and another conspiracy against our state failed.”

Outlining in detail previous and so far failed attempts to achieve lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mr Pashinyan stated his willingness to sign a peace and relations settlement agreement with Baku by the end of the year. “We must move steadily towards peace”, he said (..) “To do this, political will is necessary and I have that political will. On the other hand, the international community and the European Union, and the countries of our region should support us, do everything to make this opportunity real for us”.

You can watch the speech again here (17.10.2023)

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Toll of Israel-Palestine crisis on children ‘beyond devastating’

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United Nations News
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Toll of Israel-Palestine crisis on children ‘beyond devastating’
© UNICEF/Mohammad Ajjour - A young boy plays in the street amidst the wreckage of homes destroyed by airstrikes in Al Shati Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza has become a “graveyard” for children with thousands now killed under Israeli bombardment, while more than a million face dire shortages of essentials and a lifetime of trauma ahead, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths, who has been visiting Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, spoke to families in Gaza over the phone from east Jerusalem on Tuesday and said that what they have endured since the start of Israel’s retaliation for Hamas’ deadly 7 October attacks is “beyond devastating”.

“When an eight-year-old tells you that she doesn’t want to die, it’s hard not to feel helpless,” he wrote on social platform X.

Hostages’ families ‘living in agony’

On Monday Mr. Griffiths met in Jerusalem with family members of some of the more than 230 hostages held in Gaza since 7 October. Reportedly about 30 of them kidnapped by Hamas terrorists are children.

The UN relief chief said that for the past weeks these families “have been living in agony, not knowing if their loved ones are dead or alive”, and that he couldn’t “begin to imagine” what they are going through.

The UN has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.

‘Unbearable’ thought of children buried under rubble

Reportedly more than 3,450 children have been killed in Gaza according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.

Another 1,000 children have been reported missing and may be trapped or dead under the rubble, awaiting rescue or recovery, UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA said.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said that it is “almost unbearable to think about children buried under rubble with very little possibility for getting them out”.

An 11-year-old boy stands at the entrance to his home in Gaza City.
© UNICEF/Mohammad Ajjour – An 11-year-old boy stands at the entrance to his home in Gaza City.

Decades of trauma ahead

“Threats go beyond the bombs and mortars”, UNICEF’s James Elder stressed. Infant deaths due to dehydration are “a growing threat” in the enclave as Gaza’s water production is at five per cent of the required volume due to non-functioning desalination plants which are either damaged or lack fuel.

When the fighting finally stops, the costs to children “will be borne out for decades to come”, he said, due to the horrific trauma faced by survivors.

I do not have the luxury
to think about my
children’s mental
health – I just need
to keep them alive

Mr. Elder cited the example of a UNICEF staffer’s four-year-old daughter in Gaza who has started self-harming because of the daily stress and fear, while her mother told colleagues, “I do not have the luxury to think about my children’s mental health – I just need to keep them alive”.

Humanitarian ceasefire essential

Mr. Elder reiterated calls, “on behalf of the 1.1 million children in Gaza living through this nightmare”, for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and opening of all access points for sustained entry of humanitarian aid.

“If we had a ceasefire for 72 hours, this would mean a thousand children would be safe again for this time,” he said.

Aid ‘a fraction of what is needed’

On Monday, a total of 26 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, OCHA’s Jens Laerke said, with the hope that more trucks will enter on Tuesday.

This brings the total number of trucks allowed through the crossing from 21 to 30 October to 143.

OCHA stressed that while the increase in the volume of aid entering Gaza in the past two days is welcome, “current amounts are a fraction of what is needed to prevent further deterioration in the already-dire humanitarian situation, including civil unrest”. Before the escalation close to 500 trucks, both commercial and humanitarian, would enter the enclave every working day, including some 50 trucks of fuel.

Briefing the UN Security Council on Monday, Mr. Griffiths spoke about the urgency of replenishing fuel supplies, “vital for powering most essential services, including hospitals and water desalination plants, and to transport humanitarian relief inside Gaza”.

Attacks on healthcare

The public health catastrophe in the enclave is being compounded by attacks on health. UN health agency (WHO) said that it has documented 82 in Gaza so far.

OCHA warned that the vicinities of two hospitals in Gaza city and northern Gaza were reportedly bombarded for the second consecutive day on Monday, prompting Mr. Griffiths to share his concern with the Security Council over “allegations of military installations in the close vicinity of hospitals and the request by Israeli authorities for hospitals, including Al Quds and Shifa, to be evacuated”.

Protect medical facilities ‘at all times’

In response to a question over these allegations, UN human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell reiterated on Tuesday that hospitals are protected buildings under international humanitarian law.

If proven, the use of human shields in hospitals would amount to a war crime, she said. However, “regardless of the actions of one side, for example using hospitals for military purposes, the other side must comply with international humanitarian rules on the conduct of hostilities” which extend special protection to medical units at all times, she insisted.

Where medical units lose their special protection as a result of being used outside their humanitarian function to commit acts harmful to the enemy, and where a warning for the harmful use to cease has gone unheeded, “still, any attack must comply with the principles of precautions in attack and proportionality”, Ms. Throssell explained.

Jews and their human rights

By
Gabriel Carrion Lopez
-
0
a group of people standing outside with Western Wall in the background

The war started by the terrorist organization HAMAS at the beginning of October is littering the streets of Israel and the Gaza Strip with the corpses of men, women and children. At this point in the conflict, where it seems that world public opinion is buying the arguments of said terrorist organization, allied and financed by a country that does not respect human rights, imprisoning and murdering men, women and children, who do not have access to think like them. They are fraudulent organizations and states of totalitarian and single thinking that respect no one.

There is talk of Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip. How many? 8,000 dead, 3,000 of them children. Terrible!!! But, without demagoguery, who started the conflict, who put 1,400 Jewish corpses on the table in the first moments? Who kidnapped men, women and children? 239 today. Who has called for a global Intifada against the Jew wherever he is, trying to rouse the Muslim world and, above all, the lone wolves who are already doing their thing? Who hides, like rats, in tunnels, under schools, hospitals and churches, using their own people as human shields? Who cares so little about the lives of their loved ones? To a terrorist organization: HAMAS, and those who finance it, especially IRAN or QATAR.

Where have the human rights of the young Israeli-German Shani Louk, who was on that fateful October 7 at a peace party, near the place where the events began? Her mother, Rebeca Louk, commented a couple of days ago that she had received official confirmation of her death. HAMAS, without handing over the body, had stated this through her official channels. We could see Shani Louk in the back of a truck, tied up as if she were an animal, bloody, and in her underwear so you could see the blows she had received, while a handful of terrorists smiled, drooling at the obtained prey. That video violated the human rights of that young woman without, when she perished, too many media outlets feeling horrified by what that story expressed, by what it was telling us about those who committed the murders of Jews in those first hours of October 7.

In the West, while we talk about the horrors of war and beat our chests about the dead children in the Gaza Strip and the lack of food and assistance to the displaced, we buy the infamous and ignorant atrocity that the terrorists sell us , who keep whatever may be necessary to feed their troops in order to continue fighting. The people in the Strip know perfectly well that they are just cannon fodder and that to those who lead them they mean absolutely nothing, just more income on their account of images to show to the world, with the sole purpose of getting more funding from certain countries, including communist countries with the sole purpose of continuing to kill Jews throughout the world. Then it will be to the unbeliever.

In World War II they were murdered in extermination camps. 6 million Jews. Men, women and children. What did Muslim countries do at that time? Rejoice, “the Jews should be exterminated wherever they are found.” And when the war is over, where the Jews left six million dead, six million stories, millions of them still untold, they are given a territory to which, as a people, they historically had a right. And they build a state surrounded by ancestral enemies and become, over the years, the only consolidated democracy in the area, among medievalized societies that continue to apply inhuman punishments to women and those who do not agree with their ideas. Totalitarian governments at the service of Old Laws whose practice enslaves man, be he Muslim, Christian or Jew.

But the tragedy of said town did not end there. 6 million dead They were not enough ignominy and some communist state in the 1960s decided that it could sell all the Jews left in its territory in exchange for pigs or money. And for this reason the despicable government of Ceausescu, in old Romania. Although to achieve this the Jews had to suffer an entire ordeal, of which I am only going to show a few brief notes.

In a masterful book by the French journalist Sonia Devillers, Those exported, from the Impedimenta publishing house, in its press release about it you can read the following (they are the first paragraphs, although I encourage the reader to continue informing themselves about this atrocious topic):

Jews exchanged for pigs. Of the best breed. Tens of thousands of Romanian Jews were exchanged since the 1950s and for decades by the communist government to allow them to leave the country. First for “high performance” animals. Then, for money. Initially, as if it were a macabre joke, they were exchanged for the pigs that were forbidden to them. Also by Friesian cows, mechanized chicken farms and Australian sheep. Later, for between $2,000 and $50,000 depending on age and profession. Money paid mainly by the Israeli secret services. During Ceausescu’s time, Jews were impoverished Romania’s second export product after oil. Entire families, like the grandparents, mother and aunt of the French journalist Sonia Devillers, who unites family memory and history in the painful, poetic and precise Los exportados, (Impedimenta).

A book in which the degrading nature of that sale is eclipsed by the unimaginable and atrocious horror that hundreds of thousands of Romanian Jews suffered years before in the Second World War, during the regime of Marshal Antonescu, at the hands of their compatriots, without Hitler’s need.

A Romanian holocaust with pogroms in Bucharest or Lasi, in which those who managed to escape ended up on freight trains whose carriages did not allow air or light to pass through. More than 5,000 corpses emerged from them. “The idea of ​​death trains, another Romanian innovation,” Devillers ironically says. In Odessa, occupied during the war by Romanian troops, 8,000 Jews were hanged from lampposts and balconies. Another 4,000 were shot in the back of the head.

And once Antonescu’s pro-Nazi regime fell, the Romanian communists did not take long to carry out anti-Semitic purges and expel Jews from jobs and the party. That they wanted to emigrate en masse. Their exit was blocked until the business was seen. “There were about 750,000 Jews in Romania before the war. Half died in it. Of the 350,000 that remained, when Ceausescu fell there were 10,000 left. It is the story of a country emptied of its Jews. First deported, then exported,” says Devillers.

Stories like this may seem far away to us today, but we must not forget that just last night (October 29, 2023), a mob of Muslims attacked the airport of the capital of Dagestan with the purpose of murdering all Israeli citizens, including Jews. or not, they met. The images are terrifying. And men, women, and children had to take refuge wherever they could, in order to avoid being taken hostage, beaten, and unjustly killed. Mobs are always dangerous, and if we add a religious and dangerously xenophobic component to this, even more so.

There are already dozens of lone wolf actions throughout the West. But not all of them are coming to light so as not to alarm world public opinion. Special surveillance, not only police surveillance, is exercised throughout the democratic West on certain mosques whose leaders are known to be radicalized. In the country in which I write this article we are in alert 4 Reinforced, the next is alert 5 and last, the army would have to take to the streets. Public opinion is unaware of the actions that are being carried out, but from very close sources I know that the High Defense Staff is permanently testing hundreds of calls linked to extremist people in this country.

Before October 7, when the terrorist group, backed by the states that support it, decided to change the course of history, we lived better. And today, while world public opinion has bought what a terrorist organization like HAMAS wants to sell us, I have decided, without intending to disdain the rights of the Palestinians, nothing could be further from my intention; to ask myself openly and with a dog’s face, about the human rights of the Jews, so many times vilified over the last 80 years. Only 80 years and with so many millions of dead and displaced. Terrible!!!

Bibliography:
NOTE: As always, asking internet search engines and contrasting the news provided by them on different newspaper pages.

About the cited book: Jews for pigs after the atrocious Romanian Shoah – La Vanguardia – October 30, 2023 – Impedimenta

Based on data from Shani Louk, the Europa Press news service and Israeli authorities confirm the death of Shani Louk, the young German-Israeli kidnapped by Hamas (elconfidencial.com)

Other information, CNN: This is the chronology of the Hamas attack and Israel’s response (cnn.com)

Some data comes from confidential sources.

Originally published at LaDamadeElche.com

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