Author: Gulf News Week

German chancellor reaffirms his country’s support for Israel on inaugural visit, despite recent turbulence over Gaza genocide.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has affirmed support for the creation of a Palestinian state, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again rejected such a move, during the German leader’s inaugural visit to the country.At a joint press conference on Sunday following a meeting in Jerusalem, the two leaders spoke of their respective priorities for Gaza and the occupied West Bank.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Berlin shutdown of pro-Palestine conference was unlawful, court ruleslist 2 of 4Top global arms producers’ revenues…

The community I grew up in near Bethlehem is being squeezed out by Israeli settlers.I grew up less than a mile from Shepherds’ Field in Beit Sahour in the occupied West Bank – the hillside where, according to the Gospel of Luke, the news of Jesus’s birth was first proclaimed. For my family, these were not distant biblical landscapes. They were the backdrop of our daily lives: The olive groves we played in, the terraces we tended, the land where our faith and identity were rooted.Today, for the first time in my life, I felt fear that the community that…

Speaking at the Doha Forum, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says you cannot resolve a conflict ‘if you have no one speaking to non-state actors’.Doha, Qatar – The prime minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has called for inclusive engagement, including with non-state actors such as the Palestinian group Hamas, as the only viable route to regional peace.Speaking to United States journalist Tucker Carlson on Sunday at the Doha Forum, Sheikh Mohammed said you cannot resolve or reach a solution “if you have no one speaking to non-state actors”.Recommended Stories…

Bethlehem lights tree after two years, mixing hope with sorrow amid Gaza war and economic hardship from Israeli siege.Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – For the first time in two years, the Christmas tree in Bethlehem lit up the night sky, restoring a glimmer of joy to the birthplace of Jesus after seasons overshadowed by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.Palestinians watching the lighting said the celebration carried a dual meaning: Hope in the Nativity and a yearning for freedom from the Israeli siege gripping Bethlehem and cities across the occupied territory.At the same time, residents say the celebrations remain dimmed by the…

The World Food Programme’s Carl Skau says the fighting is stopping aid from reaching millions in desperate need.Sudan faces a “massive” humanitarian aid crisis, with millions of starving people being denied access to vital food supplies as fighting rages in the war-torn country, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau told media on Sunday that his organisation was assisting 5 million people across the nation, including 2 million in hard-to-reach areas, but it was not enough.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4RSF alleges SAF forces struck crucial border crossing in Sudan near Chadlist…

Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier, fifth-largest export partner, and one of its staunchest supporters.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting Israel for the first time since taking office in May.His visit comes just days after Germany decided to lift a three-month suspension on arms exports to Israel that it said could be used in the Gaza Strip.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3The rise of global boycotts against Israel’s genocide in Gazalist 2 of 3‘Unlawful’: Rights group decries Germany lifting arms embargo on Israellist 3 of 3Berlin shutdown of pro-Palestine conference was unlawful, court rulesend of listMerz, who…

Syrians gathered to celebrate days before the December 8 anniversary, which will mark the day the capital was liberated.Damascus, Syria – Around Damascus’s Umayyad Square, children leaned out the windows, waving Syria’s green, white and black flag as fireworks burst in the sky.December 8, the anniversary of liberation for the capital and the country as a whole, was two days away, but crowds had already begun to gather in the square.Nearby, standing alone and watching the festivities, stood Abu Taj, 24. Ten years earlier, he had left his home in the Aleppo countryside when his house was destroyed in fighting…

Palestinians hope first Christmas tree lighting ceremony in three years will encourage tourists to return to the city, which has been undergoing a severe economic crisis.Between Israel’s genocidal war on people in Gaza and near-daily Israeli assaults on Bethlehem and other cities across the occupied West Bank, Palestinians have endured great suffering over the past two years. They have had little to celebrate, and for the past years, all public Christmas celebrations were cancelled.But Saturday brought a glimmer of hope to the crowds who gathered in Bethlehem’s Manger Square, outside of the Church of the Nativity, to watch the Christmas…

At least seven Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks as military pushes deeper beyond truce demarcation line.An elderly woman and her son were among at least seven Palestinians killed in the latest Israeli attacks in Gaza, as the military continues to operate across the “yellow line” ceasefire demarcation.Health officials reported the killings on Saturday in Beit Lahiya, Jabalia, and Zeitoun, including a 70-year-old woman and her son, who were hunted down and killed by a drone in Gaza City.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Arab, Muslim nations reject Israel exit-only plan for Gaza’s Rafah crossinglist 2 of 3Gaza ceasefire…

Syrian president accuses Israel using pretexts to justify military actions across the region as he commits to holding elections within the next five years.Doha, Qatar – Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of stoking regional tensions to divert attention from the “horrifying massacres” it has committed in Gaza.Speaking to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Saturday during the Newsmaker Interview at the Doha Forum, al-Sharaa said Israeli leaders “often exports crises to other countries” as they increasingly invoke security pretexts to expand military action.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli attacks on Syria: What happened, who did Israel claim it…