Sunday, December 03, 2023

Tears and tight restrictions in Gaza protest at COP28

Dubai (AFP) – Teary-eyed, keffiyeh-wearing activists protested Israel's bombardment of Gaza at the UN climate talks in the UAE Sunday -- a tame but rare display in a country where demonstrations are banned.

Issued on: 03/12/2023 
Activists at the COP28 summit display a banner during a demonstration demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war 
© Jewel SAMAD / AFP

Hindered by UN restrictions preventing them from raising Palestinian flags or chanting certain slogans, more than 100 activists in a COP28 "Blue Zone" venue, managed by the world body and not local authorities, demanded a Gaza ceasefire.

"We say to the Palestinian people that the international community may have forgotten you, but you are not alone," said Asad Rehman, lead spokesman for the Climate Justice Coalition.

"Free Palestine," he told a sobbing crowd that echoed his chant before they were shushed because of UN guidelines prohibiting the naming of states, leaders or companies in activist actions within the COP venue.

Sunday's solidarity gathering, the largest yet, still pales in comparison to mobilisations that have swept other parts of the world since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7.

But it stands out for the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, which bans protests and prohibits speech that is deemed to create or encourage social unrest.

With activist actions kicking off on Sunday, the fourth day of the climate talks, it was not the Emirati authorities that tightened the protest space, but strict UN guidelines that governed previous COPs.
Activists listen to a roll-call of names of Palestinians the Hamas-run health ministry says have been killed in the Gaza war 
© Jewel SAMAD / AFP

Organisers had to request permits, identify action zones and appeal for approval for banners, slogans and chants -- some of which were banned.

"We were not allowed to name states or raise (Palestinian) flags," said Abderraouf Ben Mohamed of the Debt for Climate group, prompting activists to rely on the watermelon -- a symbol of the pro-Palestinian movement -- as a way to bypass restrictions.
'Insensitive'

Damian Godzisz, a staff member in the UAE's COP28 team, said he was told to remove a Palestinian flag and keffiyeh scarf attached to his bag at the security check to the Blue Zone.

"I find it insensitive that while other nations can display their national attire, the Palestinian flag and keffiyeh are restricted," he said.

Hamas militants from Gaza launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and began an air, sea and ground offensive that has killed more than 15,500 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas government.

The war has cast a long shadow over the climate talks in Dubai, and has deeply impacted the Palestinian Authority's (PA) COP28 delegation, which had been upbeat about its first-ever COP pavilion.
Participants react as the list names of names is read out 
© Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

Only 10 representatives managed to fly out for the event, with most cancelling their participation, Hadeel Ikhmais, a climate expert with the PA, told AFP.

"It was really tough for us to come here, and up to the last-minute we were reconsidering our participation," said Ikhmais, who had to embark on a nearly 11-hour journey stymied by checkpoints from her home in Bethlehem to Jordan's airport to catch a flight to Dubai.
'Killed in cold blood'

"What does climate justice mean, what does international law mean, when Palestinians are killed in cold blood and the world is just watching?" Ikhmais asked.

"I want to go back. Honestly, we are counting the days just to go back home."

The activists chant slogans demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war © Jewel SAMAD / AFP

At the Israeli pavilion, just a few metres (yards) away, a book of posters of those held hostage by Hamas was put on display beside a large banner that read: "Bring them home now."

Maya Kadosh, Israel's national coordinator for COP28, sported a dog tag carrying the same message and said she sensed bias among activists attending the climate conference.

"I wish they would understand the Israeli suffering," she told AFP.

"They stand for human rights, but as long as the people are not Jewish," Kadosh said.

"I think if people want really to help free Palestine and free the people of Palestine, they should help the people of Palestine get free from Hamas."

Israel had been planning a 1,000-strong representation at COP28, but the war reduced that figure to around 100, including some 30 officials with the government delegation, she said.

© 2023 AFP


ICC prosecutor vows to 'further intensify' Gaza probe

The Hague (AFP) – The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court vowed Sunday to step up efforts to investigate alleged war crimes, as he wrapped up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.


Issued on: 03/12/2023
Khan met Palestinian president Abbas in Ramallah 
© Thaer GHANAIM / PPO/AFP

Karim Khan stressed his visit was "not investigative in nature" but said he was able to speak to victims on both sides of the conflict.

More than 15,200 people have been killed in the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, according to Islamist group Hamas, in more than eight weeks of combat and heavy bombardment.

"My office will further intensify its efforts to advance its investigations in relation to this situation," Khan said.

"Credible allegations of crimes during the current conflict should be the subject of timely, independent examination and investigation."

Opening its doors in 2002, the ICC is the world's only independent court set up to probe the gravest offences including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

It opened an investigation in 2021 into Israel as well as Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups for possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories.

Khan has previously said this investigation now "extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023".

But ICC teams have not been able to enter Gaza or investigate in Israel, which is not an ICC member.

The war broke out when Hamas militants burst through Gaza's militarised border into Israel on October 7 and killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, while also taking around 240 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.

Khan said he witnessed "calculated cruelty" at the sites attacked by Hamas.

Those attacks "represent some of the most serious international crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, crimes which the ICC was established to address".

He also emphasised that "the manner in which Israel responds to these attacks is subject to clear legal parameters that govern armed conflict".

Acknowledging that conflict in densely populated areas such as Gaza was "inherently complex", international humanitarian law must still apply, Khan said.

Legal experts have told AFP that both Hamas and Israel could face war crimes charges over the conflict.

Five countries called in mid-November for an ICC investigation into the Israel-Hamas war, with Khan saying his team had collected a "significant volume" of evidence on "relevant incidents".

Khan also called for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and not be seized by Hamas.

"All actors must comply with international humanitarian law. If you do not do so, do not complain when my office is required to act," he warned.

© 2023 AFP

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