Documentary on Turkey’s post-coup purge victims banned again for being ‘provocative’

THE TRUTH ALWAYS IS

ByTurkish Minute
October 4, 2024

The governor’s office in the southern Turkish province of Antalya has banned a documentary depicting the plight of victims of a post-coup purge in Turkey at a film festival in the city, in the latest example of censorship faced by the documentary’s director, the Gazete Duvar news website reported.

The documentary, titled “Kanun Hükmü” (The Decree), has faced censorship since it was released in 2023 for focusing on a sensitive issue in Turkish society — the challenges faced by more than 130,000 civil servants who were purged from their jobs through government decrees in the aftermath of a coup attempt in July 2016.

The civil servants were removed from their jobs under the pretext of an anti-coup fight.

The documentary would have been screened at the Free Orange Film Days, starting on October 3, in Antalya, organized by a group of writers, actors and other prominent figures named the “Arts for Freedom Initiative.”

However, the governor’s office notified director Necla Demirci in a letter that the documentary, which it described as “provocative,” cannot be shown during film days because it undermines national unity and solidarity and openly provokes a segment of the public to hatred and hostility against another segment based on their different characteristics in terms of social class, race, religion, sect or region.

According to the governor’s office, terrorist organizations aim to keep their bases alive through such productions as part of their perception management efforts in addition to bolstering the morale and motivation of their members and damaging the reputation of Turkey in the international arena.

Turkish authorities associate most purge victims with the faith-based Gülen movement.

The movement, inspired by US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen, is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt and labelled as a terrorist organization.

The group denies involvement in the abortive putsch and describes itself as a peaceful civil society organization focused on education, charity and interfaith dialogue.

Accusing the documentary of capitalizing on the “so-called victims,” the governor’s office also said the “distortion” of facts in the documentary not only destroys Turkey’s image but also shakes public confidence in the judicial system.

The documentary attracted international attention when it was first censored at the famous Golden Orange Film Festival in Antalya in 2023, leading to the cancellation of the festival.

In September 2023, the 60-year-old Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in Antalya was abruptly canceled following a controversy surrounding a decision by the festival’s organizing committee to remove the documentary.

The decision to remove the documentary sparked outrage, drawing strong criticism from victims of the purge as well as activists.

The festival’s cancellation came after the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry withdrew its support, accusing the festival organizers of allowing “terrorist propaganda,” and sponsors followed suit.

This festival has only been canceled twice before, in 1979, when a conflict between right-wing and left-wing groups that killed over 5,000 people devastated Turkey, and in 1980, when the Turkish military took power and began to rule the country with an iron fist.

The documentary also faced other bans and censorship efforts in other cities by local authorities despite a decision by the Constitutional Court, which found that the local authorities’ ban on filming violated freedom of expression and awarded Demirci 13,500 Turkish lira in damages.

PETS ARE A FEMINIST ISSUE

Turkey’s World Animal Day celebration overshadowed by claims of mass dog killings

ByTurkish Minute
October 4, 2024

Animal right activists hold placards during a rally to protest against a bill drafted by the government that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul on July 23, 2024. 

(Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)


Turkey is celebrating World Animal Day, an international day of action for animal rights and welfare marked annually on October 4, this year amid claims of a surge in violence against stray dogs due to a controversial law enacted in August.

The law, which was passed by parliament and signed into force by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on August 2, allows municipalities to euthanize stray dogs deemed aggressive or ill. The legislation, which also mandates improvements to animal shelters by 2028, has sparked widespread protests from animal rights groups, who argue that it will pave the way for the mass euthanasia of stray dogs.

Ahmet Kemal Şenpolat, president of the Animal Rights Federation in Turkey (HAYTAP), told the Artı Gerçek news website that the annual observance of World Animal Day, which has aimed to protect and promote animal welfare since its inception in 1925, is marred this year by a legislative backdrop that promotes harm rather than protection for animals in Turkey.

He said the since the enactment of the law, reports about violence against stray animals have become more widespread in Turkey.

“Every day, reports and footage of violence and killings of stray animals are emerging from numerous cities. … Most importantly, since the enactment of this law, incidents of violence against animals have increased,” Şenpolat said, calling for a shift in social attitudes toward animal rights.

Referring to a move by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on August 15 to challenge the law at the Constitutional Court on the grounds that it contravenes the right to life guaranteed in the constitution, Şenpolat said the top court should suspend and repeal the law.

Burcu Yağcı from the Ankara Bar Association’s Animal Rights Center talked about the law’s ambiguous wording which she said has enabled individuals and institutions to act with impunity, leading to a grim tally of 60 confirmed animal deaths in the country over the past two months.

“As long as this law remains in effect, there may be no animals left to protect. That’s why, we will hold a rally outside the Constitutional Court today demanding that the law be rescinded,” she added.

According to a report by the Bianet news website on Friday, several animal rights groups in Turkey have announced that they will not be celebrating World Animal Day this year in protest of the law. Instead, they were going to hold a protest in front of the Constitutional Court in Ankara at noon.

“We cannot celebrate World Animal Day on October 4. We feel the shame of living in a country where laws are enacted for the slaughter of animals,” the Sokaktayım Yanındayım (I Am on the Street, I Am with You) initiative said in a written statement.

Ersin Tek from the Law for Life Initiative lamented the fact that Turkey is discussing state-backed animal killings on a day meant to champion animal rights.

“Unfortunately, we are aware that there may be incidents, especially in rural areas of Anatolia, that we haven’t even heard about. … We believe that possibly hundreds, if not thousands, of animals have been killed during this period,” Tek said.

Reports of mass dog killings have emerged in municipalities run by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Niğde and Ankara provinces, prompting an outcry on social media.

Although the municipalities deny any wrongdoing, the controversy surrounding the new law and the discoveries of dog carcasses have intensified the debate over how Turkey should address its stray dog population, estimated to be around 4 million. Animal rights activists continue to call for mass sterilization efforts instead of euthanasia to control the stray dog population, warning that the current approach could lead to further abuse.

152 workers died in occupational accidents in Turkey in September: report

THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS
ONLY PREVENTABLE INCIDENTS

ByTurkish Minute
October 4, 2024

A total of 152 people died in workplace accidents in Turkey in September, the Stockholm Center for Freedom reported, citing a monthly report by the Health and Safety Labor Watch (İSİG).

Three minors were included in the work-related fatalities.

Construction was the leading sector in fatalities in terms of overall workplace accidents, representing 28 percent of the deaths. It was followed by transportation with 15 percent and agriculture with 12 percent.

The most frequent causes of death were traffic accidents, which accounted for 23 percent of all deaths, crushing incidents with 20 percent and falling from heights, 17 percent.

A major deadly incident highlighted the issue of workplace safety this month. A devastating explosion occurred at the Oba Makarna pasta factory in northwestern Turkey on September 15, leaving one worker dead and 30 others injured.

In a statement following the explosion, the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) slammed the government for failing to implement necessary safety regulations and inspections.

People have been suffering from lax work safety standards for decades in Turkey, where workplace accidents are nearly a daily occurrence. İSİG reported nearly 2,000 work-related deaths in 2023.

According to the group, more than 30,000 occupational accidents have taken place since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in November 2002.

İSİG General Coordinator Murat Çakır had earlier said the reason for the record number of fatalities in work-related accidents has to do with the policies of the AKP, which he said aim to turn Turkey into a source of cheap labor for Europe.

According to Çakır, workers feel obliged to work under unsafe conditions fearing that they will become jobless and unable to support their families.

İSİG began to record occupational fatalities in 2011. The platform also records the number of workers who died due to the lack of work safety in past years in addition to campaigning for stricter measures to maintain safety in workplaces.

A yearly report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on labor rights reveals that Turkey is one of the 10 worst countries in the world for working people. According to the Brussels-based ITUC, workers’ freedoms and rights continued to be relentlessly denied with police crackdowns on protests in Turkey in 2023.

'Not acceptable': Indian tenant in Canada helpless as landlord evicts him, tosses belongings over dispute

ByMahipal Singh Chouhan
Oct 05, 2024 

HINDUSTAN TIMES

A viral video showed a Canadian landlord evicting an Indian tenant, sparking mixed reactions on social media over landlord-tenant relations.

A video capturing a Canadian landlord forcibly evicting an Indian tenant has gone viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. The 15-second clip, which has amassed over 1.7 million views, shows the tenant standing helplessly, shirtless, as the landlord removes his possessions. The incident has raised concerns about landlord-tenant relations, particularly for immigrants living abroad.

Video of Canadian landlord evicting Indian tenant sparked viral debate online.(X/@gharkekalesh)

The video, shared by the popular X account (formerly Twitter) “Ghar Ke Kalesh,” has stirred strong reactions online. The caption reads, “Desi guy and his landlord over he had fight with landlord because he was not vacating the house then the landlord came and started moving his stuff out by himself, Brampton, Canada.” In the footage, the tenant appears distressed, unable to prevent the landlord from discarding his belongings, which were thrown out.

Watch the clip here:



Many have questioned the circumstances that led to such a situation, with some speculating that the tenant may have refused to vacate the property, prompting the landlord to take matters into his own hands.
Social media reactions divided

Social media users have offered mixed reactions to the viral video. While some sympathised with the tenant, condemning the landlord’s aggressive actions, others saw humour in the situation, pointing out the cultural differences in handling such disputes.

One user commented, “This is so sad. Imagine being thrown out like this in a foreign land. Heartbreaking.” Another added, “Landlords can be ruthless, but there must have been a reason for this.” However, not everyone was as sympathetic. “The guy should’ve left when asked—this is what happens,” one person remarked. Another chimed in, saying, “Typical desi drama, but that landlord took it a step too far.”

Others poked fun at the incident, with one user quipping, “The way the landlord just went full Terminator mode is unreal!” Another comment read, “Only in Brampton could this happen, the desi capital of Canada.”

 

India Emerges as Global Mobile Manufacturing Hub: From Importer to Exporter in a Decade

India’s mobile phone industry has undergone a transformative journey over the past decade, evolving from a net importer to a global manufacturing powerhouse. This significant shift not only bolsters the nation’s economy but also positions India as a key player in the global electronics market.

In the fiscal year 2014-15, mobile phone production in India was valued at a modest ₹18,900 crore. Fast forward to 2023-24, and this figure is expected to escalate to an impressive ₹4.10 lakh crore. This exponential growth underscores the country’s escalating manufacturing capabilities and its commitment to becoming self-reliant in the electronics sector.

A pivotal aspect of this growth story is the surge in exports. In 2014-15, mobile phone exports stood at a mere ₹1,556 crore. According to data from the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), the last decade has seen mobile exports worth ₹3.22 lakh crore, with the year 2023-24 alone touching the ₹1,20,000 crore mark—marking an astounding 77-fold increase. This leap not only enhances India’s trade balance but also cements its reputation as a reliable exporter of high-quality mobile devices.

Conversely, imports have witnessed a dramatic decline. In 2014-15, India imported mobile phones worth ₹48,609 crore. By 2023-24, this number is expected to plummet to ₹7,665 crore, an 84% reduction. This shift signifies the country’s reduced dependency on foreign manufacturers and the success of initiatives promoting local production.

In 2014-15, a staggering 74% of all mobile phones in India were imported. Today, that narrative has changed remarkably. Now, over 99% of mobile phones used in India are ‘Made in India,’ highlighting the nation’s journey towards self-sufficiency.

Since 2014, India has produced an impressive 2.5 billion mobile handsets worth ₹20 lakh crore. The number of manufacturing units has surged from just a handful in 2014 to over 200 units, making India the second-largest mobile phone manufacturing nation globally. With an annual production rate of 325 to 330 million mobile phones, the country is now the world’s fastest-growing market for mobile phone production.

Government initiatives have played a crucial role in this transformation. The Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), launched in 2017, was the first significant step towards indigenizing mobile phone production. The PMP aimed to incentivize large-scale manufacturing by progressively increasing import duties on components, thus encouraging local assembly and production.

Building on this momentum, the 2021-22 Union Budget introduced the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM) and IT hardware. This scheme offers incentives ranging from 3% to 5% on incremental sales value, effectively attracting global manufacturing giants like Foxconn, Pegatron, Rising Star, and Wistron to establish bases in India.

One of the crown jewels of India’s manufacturing landscape is Samsung’s largest mobile phone production factory, located in Noida. This facility underscores India’s appeal as a manufacturing hub and its ability to host large-scale operations for global companies.

The industry’s growth has also had a profound impact on employment. Between 2023 and 2028, the mobile phone manufacturing sector is expected to generate 8 lakh new jobs, providing a significant boost to the country’s employment rates. The Government of India projects that the sector will be worth $126 billion or Rs 10,587.82 billion by 2025-26.

Furthermore, India is set to become the second-largest 5G market after China by 2024, surpassing the United States. This advancement aligns with a February 2022 report by Deloitte, which predicts that India will have one billion smartphone users in the near future.

The ripple effect of the mobile phone industry’s growth is evident in the broader electronics sector. Mobile phone production now accounts for 43% of total electronics production in India. The electronics sector’s production value has more than doubled from $48 billion or Rs 4033.46 billion in FY17 to $101 billion or Rs 8487 billion in FY23, employing over 1.2 million people, according to government data. The growth is driven primarily by increased mobile phone production.

This remarkable journey from being a major importer to a leading exporter and manufacturer highlights India’s strategic initiatives and the robust potential of its manufacturing sector. As the nation continues on this trajectory, it solidifies its position as a global electronics hub, contributing significantly to economic growth and technological advancement.

By – Santosh Chaubey

Tunisians protest against President Kais Saied before October 6 election

By Rédaction Africanews

Crowds of Tunisians took to the streets once again to voice their discontent with President Kais Saied, as the country’s October 6 presidential election draws closer. They accuse Saied of limiting the number of opponents who can run against him.
One protester, Mustapha Ben Ali, said, “we came to protest to say that the president of the republic, who won five years of governance, does not want these elections to be fair now that his term has ended.”

Among the crowd were many young people, some of whom are refusing to vote on Sunday. “No, absolutely no, I won’t vote. Because first of all, there is no one in the candidates that I can vote for, but also what happened in the electoral process, it doesn’t have any guarantees for a transparent and free election,” said Siwar Gmati, aged 27.

Tunisia's electoral commission, appointed by Saied, has only approved two other candidates to run against him. In August, Human Rights Watch said authorities had ruled out several other potential candidates from running in the election through prosecution and imprisonment.


Analyst ponders if Tunisia's president can secure second term in Sunday's election


Copyright © africanewsAnis Mili/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

By Rédaction Africanews 

Tunisia

With his major opponents imprisoned or left off the ballot, Tunisian President Kais Saied faces few obstacles to winning re-election on Sunday, five years after riding anti-establishment backlash to a first term.

The North African country's Oct. 6 presidential election is its third since protests led to the 2011 ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali — the first autocrat toppled in the Arab Spring uprisings that also overthrew leaders in Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

International observers praised the previous two contests as meeting democratic norms. However, a raft of arrests and actions taken by a Saied-appointed election authority have raised doubts about whether this year's race is free and fair. And opposition parties have called for a boycott.

Michael Ayari, Senior Analyst for Algeria & Tunisia at the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press on Friday that questions loom over Tunisia's future trajectory.

“Will Saied’s rule last forever? That is the question. Is it possible to change the political system in a peaceful way? Or are Tunisians condemned to have a president who will stay in power for 30 years? Who will stay for 20 or 30 years and will put in place his program and the country will become more and more authoritarian?”

But, he added, President Saied does have ardent supporters, who see this election as a “key moment”, an opportunity for Saied to reinforce his “power to carry out his program to liberate the country from a kind of Western domination.”

Tunisia has maintained ties with its traditional Western allies but also forged new partnerships under Saied.

Tunisia and Iran lifted visa requirements and in May announced plans to boost trade ties. It has also accepted millions in loans as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative to build hospitals, stadiums and ports.

Additional sources • AP

Since he came to power in 2019, Saied has suspended parliament, and pushed through a new constitution to reinforce his own power.

His administration has clamped down on perceived opponents, arresting lawyers, journalists and activists.

Tunisia gears up for October 6th Presidential election

By Rédaction Africanews 

Last updated: 19 hours ago

Tunisia

As Tunisia is drawing ever closer to its Presidential election on October 6th, there are mixed feelings among the country's youth towards politics and the vote itself.

Citing a lack of opportunity, some aspire to move abroad. Seddik Malki, a fruit vendor, says, “I want to tell the youth: leave through the sea; there is nothing that keeps us here in Tunisia... I have no future here.”

Meanwhile, others are hopeful that the election will bring about change. "I hope that whoever wins the presidential elections will fix the country and pay attention to the youth, especially the high cost of living,'' Lotfi Hamdi, a 32-year-old street vendor, says.

Current president Kais Saied is seeking another term in the upcoming election. With his major opponents in prison or barred from running, Saied has been accused of stamping out his political competition and accumulating power in his own hands.

Only two candidates have been given the green light to run against Saied, who has suspended parliement since he came to power in 2019.

 Why Hezbollah's still standing despite Israel assassinating Hassan Nasrallah

There's no doubt Hassan Nasrallah's assassination by Israel has weakened Hezbollah. Joseph Daher explains why this is not the end for them.



Opinion
Voices
Joseph Daher
05 Oct, 2024

Hezbollah is in the most dangerous situation since its foundation, which is unlikely to improve soon given Israel’s continued attacks, and the party's isolation within Lebanon, writes Joseph Daher. [GETTY]


Israel’s bloody escalation of violence against Lebanon in the past few weeks has dealt a huge blow to Hezbollah, especially following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah. This started with the explosion of communication devices used by Hezbollah members, including civilians and soldiers, which killed 39 people and wounded several thousands. The attack was followed by a catastrophic bombing campaign which led to the assassination of the party’s high military and political personalities, as well as killing of nearly two thousand civilians and displacing over a million people.

Cult of personality

In the past decades, a cult of personality had developed in the party’s propaganda around Hassan Nasrallah. This was notably reflected in the aftermath of Israel’s war on Lebanon in 2006 when their initial slogan “Al-Nasr al-îlâhi” was changed to “Nasr(un) min Allâh” (A Victory from God), which was an instrumentalization of Hassan Nasrallah’s name. This was part of the cultivation of the leader’s image in the Party’s media campaigns.

Whilst Hezbollah enjoyed significant popularity among other Lebanese religious sects and even across the Middle East and North Africa, Nasrallah’s popularity outside of the party’s base had considerably reduced after the 2006 war. There were a number of reasons for this, including Hezbollah using its military capacities against other national actors. For example, in 2008 the party invaded particular neighbourhoods in West Beirut and military confrontations occurred in other regions, notably in the Chouf, after the Lebanese government announced that it wanted to dismantle the party’s communications network.

Related

Losing its leverage, Jordan has become Israel's insurance policy

Perspectives

Benjamin Ashraf

In addition to this, the Party later participated in the bloody repression of the Syrian uprising alongside the despotic Syrian regime, which also created sectarian tensions in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has also been amongst the parties considered responsible for the economic and financial crisis of 2019 as it has been part of every national unity government since 2005. Nasrallah vehemently opposed the protest movement that year, and went as far as accusing those taking to the streets of being financed by foreign embassies. Hezbollah members were even sent to attack the demonstrators.

Over the past few years Hezbollah members have been involved in several sectarian tensions with members of other religious sects, and has been accused of being one of the main actors obstructing the investigation into the explosions at the port of Beirut in August 2020.

For all of these reasons, Hezbollah has grown more and more politically and socially isolated outside its Shi’a popular base. Rather than being seen as a national resistance figure, Nasrallah was also increasingly perceived as a sectarian “Zaim” defending his party’s own political interests and those of authoritarian regimes, like Syria and Iran.

It is this isolation that has contributed to the party wanting to avoid a total war with Israel following 7 October. By adopting calculated and moderate action against Israeli military targets, Hezbollah has attempted to prevent the conflict from being exploited by internal political enemies within Lebanon, as this would in turn make the party the main actor responsible for all the country's misfortunes. However, Israel’s current war on Lebanon, with the support of the USA, has severely undermined this plan.

Related

Hezbollah can't save Lebanon's future: Only state-building can

Perspectives

Karim Safieddine

What now?

In this context, Hezbollah’s officials are trying to demonstrate that the party is continuing in the former party secretary general’s path following his assassination and that of a number of high military and political cadres. The interim leader Naim Qassem stressed this to supporters and members in his speech, when he declared: "We continue Hassan Nasrallah’s footsteps".

For Hezbollah, the priorities are now to firstly protect its internal structures and chain of commands, including by filling the void at the top of the party regarding the various political and military responsibilities, and electing a new secretary general.

Secondly, the Party seeks to maintain its objectives regarding the war with Israel: no separation of the Gaza and Lebanese fronts until a ceasefire in the Gaza strip, and to maintain and protect its military infrastructures and capacities, including long range missiles and rockets, from Israel’s attacks and ground offensives.

It is important to note that despite the considerable blows, the Party still currently remains the most important political actor in Lebanon. It also maintains an influence exceeding its national borders, particularly in Syria, also representing Teheran’s political regional interests.

Indeed Hezbollah’s military capacities remain as their key assets, despite Israeli infiltration, a weakening of internal communication, and a large number of their military experienced commanders having been assassinated. Notably, it has a vast arsenal of rockets and missiles. For the first time since 7 October, the Party recently used various Fadi missiles (middle-range missiles), to strike military sites in the outskirts of the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv. Furthermore, during the Israeli army’s initial attempts to infiltrate Lebanese territories, Hezbollah’s soldiers destroyed their Merkava tanks, injuring and killing some of their soldiers.

Alongside its armed movement, the party has a large network of institutions providing key and essential services, though this has partially been undermined by the war and consequently the ever-increasing needs of the population. In this context, Hezbollah’s popular base will most probably remain – especially in the absence of an inclusive political alternative and in the midst of a continuous economic crisis with a non-functioning state.

Related

Like in Gaza, killing Lebanon's civilians is Israel's only goal

Perspectives

Farah-Silvana Kanaan

On the regional level, Hezbollah still benefits from the support of Iran, even if the strength of this has been undermined amongst sections of the party following Israel’s recent assassinations and destruction. Indeed, Teheran’s strategic objectives, particularly since 7 October, have been to improve its regional geopolitical position in order to strengthen their future negotiating power with the US on nuclear issues and sanctions. They also see this as a way of guaranteeing political and security interests, whilst preventing a direct regional conflict with Israel and the US.

Iran’s latest retaliation against Israel, which has not resulted in significant damages, should be seen in this framework. Of course through this they have also attempted to reaffirm a form of deterrence, although it’s been unequal compared to the superiority of Israeli military capacities and the support provided by Washington. Moreover, this won’t stop Israel’s war on Lebanon.

It is fair to say that Hezbollah is in the most dangerous situation since its foundation, which is unlikely to improve soon given Israel’s continued attacks, and the party's isolation within Lebanon.

While the main strengths of the movement has been to build a strong and disciplined organisation, and not a “one man show” - despite the cult-like support for Nasrallah, the party’s ability to widen its base is very much restricted by its political strategy and orientation. Hezbollah has not been engaged in building a counterhegemonic project that challenges the Lebanese sectarian and neoliberal system. In fact, it has actively sustained it by becoming one of its main defenders.

Moreover, the party has been acting as the leading nexus of Iranian influence and interests in the region, particularly following the eruption of uprisings in Syria and across the Middle East and North Africa since 2011, which also promotes a neoliberal authoritarian order opposed to the emancipation and liberation of the popular classes.

In other words, Hezbollah, like other regional political actors involved in the resistance against Israel, is incapable of building a large movement linking democratic and social issues, opposing all imperialist and sub-imperialist forces, while promoting social transformation from below through the construction of movements in which the popular classes are the real actors of their emancipation.

Joseph Daher teaches at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and the University of Ghent, Belgium. He is the author of Syria after the Uprisings, The Political Economy of State Resilience ; Hezbollah: the Political Economy of Lebanon’s Party of God; Marxism and Palestine.
Follow him on Twitter: @JosephDaher19

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.

West continues to support Israel despite rising deaths in Gaza genocide

US, Europe refrain from cease-fire calls amid humanitarian crisis

Tugba Altun |05.10.2024 
TRT/A
​​​​​​​ANKARA

Western nations continue to provide strong political and military support to Israel, despite a genocide campaign, alongside international calls for a cease-fire, one year after the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated.

The US, UK, Germany, France and Italy, among other Western countries, pledged support for Israel's "efforts to defend itself and its people" following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, 2023. Those nations, particularly the US and the UK, have consistently affirmed Israel's "right to self-defense" and promised to provide all possible assistance.

The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Oct. 18 that urged for a "humanitarian pause" in Gaza to allow aid delivery. Similarly, on Oct. 25, separate draft resolutions presented by the US and Russia on developments in the conflict were mutually vetoed.

The West also refrained from condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza and refused to call a clear "cease-fire" for an extended period. The US vetoed a Security Council resolution on Dec. 8 that demanded an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza.

At a UN General Assembly special emergency session on Palestine on Dec. 13, a draft resolution presented by Egypt and co-sponsored by nearly 100 countries, including Türkiye, which called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, was adopted in a 153 - 10 vote. The US, Austria and the Czech Republic were among the countries voting against.

It was not until March 25 that the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with the intention of leading to a permanent and sustainable cease-fire. The resolution, prepared by temporary members of the Council, passed with 14 "yes" votes and an abstention from the US.

Support for Israel in international arena

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made 10 Middle East tours since Oct. 7, visiting Israel nine times along with other regional countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Congress in July. Despite protests and condemnations, many US lawmakers gave Netanyahu multiple standing ovations during his 52-minute speech.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Israel as a democratic state with humanitarian principles and said he believes the Israeli army will comply with the rules of international law in everything it does. He also said Germany will immediately examine and fulfill requests for support from Israel.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged "unconditional support" for Israel. She was among the first leaders to visit Israel in a show of "support" after Oct. 7, consistently emphasizing Israel's "right to self-defense" despite civilian casualties. Von Der Leyen has become the target of protests in European Parliament and on the streets, due to her stance.

Western countries continue to refrain from condemning Israel, as they continue to reaffirm their commitment to support Tel Aviv in any way possible at the slightest attack on Israel.

Intense military support

Western military support for Israel has remained substantial since the start of the current war.

The US provided 70.2% of Israel's conventional weapons imports from 2011-2020, followed by Germany at 23.9% and Italy with 5.9%, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Weapons supplies to Israel continued after Oct. 7.

In April, the American Congress approved a $95 billion foreign military aid package, allocating $17 billion to Israel.

An investigation by the Haaretz newspaper in Israel found that 173 military and civilian cargo flights from the US and American military bases transported weapons and ammunition to Israel from Oct. 7 - July 2024.

Moreover, on Sept. 26, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced Director-General Eyal Zamir signed an agreement in Washington for Tel Aviv to receive a $8.7 billion American war aid package.

European countries' arms exports to Israel have reached billions of euros in the last decade. Between 2014 and 2022, the value of export licenses granted to Israel from EU countries was approximately €6.3 billion ($6.91 billion).

The German government approved at least €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) worth of arms sales to Israel between 2015 and 2020, according to the database of the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), a group working to eliminate international arms sales. During that period, the UK exported €426 million in military equipment to Israel, including components for fighter jets, missiles, tanks, light weapons and ammunition.

Germany increased arms sales to Israel tenfold in 2023 compared to the previous year, delivering weapons worth €326.5 million. Berlin approved 185 additional export license applications for arms supplies from Israel in the weeks following Oct. 7.

The UK has been selling military equipment to Israel since 1967. In the last 10 years, the scale of military equipment and arms trade from the UK to Israel has reached £495 million ($650 million), according to CAAT data.

Italy, one of Israel's largest suppliers in Europe, made sales to Israel in the last quarter of 2023 despite the government's "assurance to prevent arms sales under laws prohibiting exports to countries that violate human rights."

France sends parts used in defense equipment to Israel, including those used for the Iron Dome defense system. Civil society organizations have sued France to stop arms sales to Israel.

Hungary and Sweden also signed arms production and sales agreements with Israel in 2023.

As Israel has killed more than 41,800 victims in Gaza, and counting, and is responsible for injuries to 96,844, and counting, Western nations maintain their strong support for Israel, raising questions about the humanitarian concerns in the conflict.

*Writing by Yasin Gungor

 

China urges protection of Palestinian rights at UNHRC

(Xinhua) 15:31, October 05, 2024

GENEVA, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- China expressed deep concern over the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories on Wednesday, reaffirming its support for the Palestinian people's pursuit of their legitimate national rights.

The Palestinian issue has persisted for over 70 years, causing immense suffering to the Palestinian people, said Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland.

Nearly a year after the Gaza conflict began, hostilities continue, and the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon has further complicated efforts to achieve a two-state solution, Chen said in a speech at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), during the general debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.

He emphasized that China opposes and condemns all acts of violence against innocent civilians, particularly women and children. China calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, an end to actions that escalate tensions, and measures to alleviate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, he added.

Chen urged concrete actions to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the need for the international community to earnestly implement relevant UN General Assembly and UNHRC resolutions on Palestinian rights, and to adhere to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

He also called for convening, under the UN's auspices, a larger, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to develop a specific timetable and roadmap for implementing the two-state solution and achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.

China is willing to work with the international community to make relentless efforts toward this goal, Chen added. 

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Wu Chaolan)

Run out of disaster response money

FEMA deploys to difficult terrain after Helene as it faces criticism and fights misinformation

Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Maxine Joselow, Clara Ence Morse and Will Oremus 

| The Washington Post
Oct 5, 2024

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed more than 1,000 personnel, along with millions of meals and liters of water, to communities hard hit by Hurricane Helene but is struggling to reach some areas deep in the mountainous and remote regions of North Carolina that were most affected by the storm.

FEMA has deployed more than 1,500 personnel to respond to Helene. As of Friday, the agency had shipped more than 11.5 million meals, 12.6 million liters of water, 400,000 tarps and 150 generators to the affected region. The agency sent a similar number of personnel — roughly 2,000 — to Florida and the Southeast a week after Hurricane Ian struck there in 2022, according to a news release.


About 6,700 National Guard members from 16 states were involved in relief operations as of Thursday, said Maj. Gen. Win Burkett, director of domestic operations and force development for the National Guard Bureau, along with roughly 1,000 active-duty troops.

Enormous logistical challenge

But the sheer scope of the disaster area, which stretches across six states in the Southeast, has presented an enormous logistical challenge. As federal officials help state and local agencies respond, they are also battling significant misinformation, adding to the challenges of a mission that has no immediate end in sight. As of Friday, at least 221 people have died in six states across the Southeast as a result of the storm.

Several Republican governors and senators from storm-battered states that could prove pivotal in the 2024 election have praised FEMA’s response. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., on Friday offered a strong defense of the federal recovery efforts so far.

“I’m actually impressed with how much attention was paid to a region that wasn’t likely to have experienced the impact that they did,” Tillis told reporters. “I’m out here to say that we’re doing a good job, and those who may not be on the ground, who are making those assessments, ought to get on the ground.”

But some residents of western North Carolina have lamented that federal assistance has not yet reached them.

“Nobody has come for us,” said Josh Paul, founder and president of Anchor Ridge, a western North Carolina-based nonprofit supporting families across Appalachia. “Of course it takes a long time for the government to respond, but not a lot of people have heard from them.”

FEMA is at the center of several debates about the administration’s ability to respond to the crisis, fueled in part by the agency’s comments and by mischaracterizations or incorrect information repeated on social media about the agency’s response.

Run out of disaster response money

Politicians and others have spread false information about the response to the storm on social media. For example, some have claimed that FEMA has run out of disaster response money and that hurricane victims can only receive $750 in federal assistance.

Several right-wing influencers have used their large online followings to amplify these claims on X, which has declined to remove the posts or label them as misleading. The trend underscores how election-year politics, combined with lax misinformation policies by major tech platforms, are complicating efforts to keep communities safe.

“There’s always misinformation that flows during disasters, but after Helene, it is really difficult to find good and accurate information,” said Samantha Montano, a disaster expert and assistant professor of emergency management at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

“The average person does not know how FEMA aid works, so some of this is unintentional,” Montano added. “Where I see lines potentially being crossed here is the intentional misinformation being spread.”

During a rally Thursday in Saginaw, Michigan, former President Donald Trump suggested without evidence that FEMA had used some disaster relief money to help immigrants in the country illegally resettle in the United States. There is no evidence that FEMA has diverted any disaster relief funding for this purpose.


“They stole the FEMA money, just like they stole it from a bank, so they could give it to their illegal immigrants that they want to have vote for them this season,” Trump said.

Criticizing FEMA’s humanitarian work

The claim about migrants appears to have originated with America First Legal, a group headed by Stephen Miller, the longtime Trump adviser and prominent anti-immigration voice. The group has been harshly criticizing FEMA’s humanitarian work with migrants on social media since at least May 2023 and made another post on X on Sunday.

In a memo Friday, White House spokesman Andrew Bates criticized conservative officials and media outlets for amplifying the falsehood about migrants.


“Some Republican leaders — and their partners in right-wing media — are using Hurricane Helene to lie and divide us,” Bates wrote. “Their latest missive: baselessly claiming that FEMA is out of money to respond to Hurricane Helene because of an existing program that supports cities and towns sheltering migrants. This is FALSE.”

Does face a funding shortfall

While FEMA can meet immediate needs, it does face a funding shortfall. On Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters the agency doesn’t have enough money to make it through the hurricane season, which ends in November.

President Joe Biden said Monday that he could call lawmakers back to Washington for an emergency session to approve more disaster relief funding. Congress is on recess until Nov. 12, after Election Day.

Separately, Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, on Wednesday shared with his roughly 12.3 million followers on X a video clip of Vice President Kamala Harris discussing Helene. He criticized the vice president for appearing to suggest that FEMA was offering $750 to each storm survivor.


“$750 for Americans in desperate need, many of whom lost everything, including family,” Trump Jr. wrote. “$250 BILLION spent in Ukraine. … Enough of this madness!”

Harris did say in her speech in Augusta, Georgia, that FEMA was “providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula and the like.” However, she went on to describe tens of thousands of additional federal dollars available, and FEMA has since clarified that the $750 represents only one type of federal assistance for hurricane victims.

“Rumor: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery. Fact: This is false,” FEMA states on a section of its website devoted to debunking misinformation.

The agency said it often quickly approves applications for $750 worth of Serious Needs Assistance, which helps pay for essential items such as food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies and medication. Survivors can apply for other types of assistance that cover the costs of temporary housing, home repair, hotels and other needs, FEMA said.

In Deep Gap, North Carolina, Celise Vaughn has been hosting search-and-rescue volunteers at her home. She said she had heard the rumor about $750 FEMA payments.

“It would be very unfortunate if that was the case because not only is that such a small sum, it wouldn’t even really make a difference, and then you’d have another group of people who wouldn’t even qualify,” she said.

Conducting searches for survivors

Vaughn added that local residents are conducting searches for survivors. “You see people coming together doing their part. What we don’t see is resources,” she said.


“They are simply giving direction to residents to apply for assistance online,” she said of federal officials, “but that is a tough pill for citizens to swallow when you don’t have a house and your relatives are still missing.”

Sydney Wilson, 31, whose home and her husband’s welding shop flooded in the mountain town of Vilas, North Carolina, said she submitted an online application for federal disaster aid, and officials followed up by phone. But Wilson, a stay-at-home mother of three, said she hadn’t seen any FEMA personnel on the ground in the community.

“I haven’t seen any FEMA out here, no government type of help,” Wilson said. “I know they’re probably overwhelmed with the number of applications, and luckily we have what we need in terms of basic necessities. We’ve had a lot of volunteers here. But I know there are others who haven’t.”

However, local officials in places such as Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, said FEMA personnel and resources have flowed into the area in the days since the storm. The agency has sent roughly 500 staff to North Carolina, including 30 staff tasked with helping hurricane survivors apply for federal assistance, according to a news release.

“At the beginning, we will say the first 72 hours, it was hard to get any help in here, but they are here on the ground with us,” Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said during a Friday morning briefing. “I was told that we have over 1,000 responders coming in from across the country helping us. … We have lots of resources.”

While the county has set up food and water distribution sites, it is one of many areas in western North Carolina that remain without safe running water, with officials unable to provide clear timelines for when service might be restored.


Tens of thousands of people across the mountain region are also without power, Bill Norton, a spokesperson with Duke Energy, said during the Friday morning briefing. Norton said crews are continuing to work on restoring power, but noted that about 105,000 customers live in “areas where catastrophic damage exists.”

Kazakhstan observes 'day of silence' ahead of nuclear power plant vote

Kazakhstan Materials 5 October 2024 


Madina Usmanova

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 5. Kazakhstan is observing a mandatory "day of silence" today, ahead of a key referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, Trend reports.

In accordance with election laws, all forms of campaigning are strictly prohibited during this period, with any violations subject to administrative penalties.

The ban covers a wide range of activities, including televised political ads, distribution of campaign materials such as newspapers and leaflets, and the holding of debates or meetings with voters. Additionally, the publication of public opinion polls that could influence voter decisions is not allowed.

The referendum is set to take place tomorrow, October 6, with polling stations open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Kazakh citizens will have the opportunity to cast their votes on whether to move forward with plans to build a nuclear power plant.


Kyrgyzstan shortlists sites for small nuclear power construction

5 October 2024 10:49 


Photo: Parliament of Kyrgyzstan

Abdullo Janob

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 5. Kyrgyzstan is in the process of selecting a site for the construction of a small nuclear power plant, Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev announced during a meeting of the “Eldik” parliamentary group.

Ibraev also revealed plans to cease electricity imports by 2027.

“Currently, the energy deficit in the country stands at 300-400 MW. If we commission at least one solar power plant, we can stop importing electricity,” he stated.

To note, the Russian state corporation Rosatom is set to construct the small nuclear plant based on the RITM-200N water-water reactor design in Kyrgyzstan. The project is expected to take approximately 10 years to complete. By March 2024, Rosatom had finalized a preliminary feasibility study for the project.


During the XIII Atomexpo forum in March 2024, Deputy Energy Minister Taalaibek Baigaziev stated that a base nuclear power station will have a capacity of 100-300 megawatts.

Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan is moving the fastest with its nuclear initiatives, including a referendum on building a nuclear power plant set for October 6, 2024.

Kazakhstan's Nuclear Power Vote: Many Questions, But Just One On The Ballot

October 05, 2024 
By Chris Rickleton

RFE

Will Kazakhs endorse the government's desire to build a nuclear power plant?


ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Kazakh voters will head to the polls on October 6 to decide whether to approve the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan -- the world's largest producer of uranium.

And the question on the ballot will be just that: "Do you agree to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?"

But the debate surrounding nuclear energy is far more complex, taking in the heavy legacy of Soviet-era nuclear tests, long-standing nuclear-phobia, and unanswered questions around the companies -- and countries -- that would build the plant if voters endorse it.

Ahead of the first referendum in Central Asia on nuclear power, RFE/RL takes a closer look at that conversation.

What The Government Says

In many countries, national referendums can divide governing coalitions and spark cabinet resignations, but there is no sign of anything like that in Kazakhstan -- the political elite is firmly behind the plan to build a nuclear power plant.

That extends from the government to the legislature, where all six parties support the idea, and where at least one lawmaker who initially opposed the plan now says he changed his mind.

The government's main argument is that only nuclear power has the capacity to provide near-zero carbon energy on the scale required to cover a power deficit that grows year-on-year, especially in the southern half of the country.

Police escort activist Eldos Dosanov out during public discussions in Semey on the construction of a nuclear power plant on August 8.

Why Not Renewables?

While wind and solar's overall share of the fossil-fuel-heavy national energy mix has grown to around 6 percent in recent years, Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev argues that renewables' dependence on "natural and climatic conditions" make them too "unpredictable" on a large scale.

President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev first floated the idea of using nuclear power in 2019.

Like other officials, he has assured Kazakhs that a future nuclear plant will be built with the latest technology to ensure the highest safety standards.

As the world's largest uranium producer, he says it is time for Kazakhstan to move up the nuclear-fuel cycle.

Why Hold A Referendum?

That is a good question, given that any sort of popular vote carries a protest risk, and Kazakhstan's authoritarian regime has only recently held parliamentary elections (March 2023) and a presidential election (November 2022).

But the country's leadership knows that the issue is contentious -- not least because the nation's introduction to nuclear power began with the Soviet Union's first nuclear bomb test in 1949, with hundreds more taking a terrible human and environmental toll in the northeastern Semei region.

Employees fuel up the first of two reactors of Belarus's Ostrovets nuclear power plant during its launch on August 7, 2020. It was the first nuclear power plant in Belarus.

Toqaev has argued that holding a plebiscite on nuclear power is in line with his "Listening State" concept, which translates to hearing people out.

And with the so-called "administrative resources" firmly on the government's side and a long history of controlled elections in Kazakhstan, few are expecting a resounding win for "yes."

Government-approved polling from last month shows that only 22.3 percent of Kazakhs are now against the idea, down from 32.5 percent in August.

Polling not sanctioned by the government is illegal, meanwhile, and at least two citizen journalists and one media outlet were slapped with fines after sampling the public's opinion on nuclear power in the run-up to the vote.

Tamara Eslyamova, owner and publisher of the newspaper Uralskaya nedelya, was fined by a court for inteviewing residents of the city of Oral about building a nuclear power plant. (file photo)

Is There A 'No' Campaign?

To the extent that Kazakhstan allows such things, there is.

But nuclear naysayers have been repeatedly blocked from holding demonstrations against the plan in various cities, and most recently found that a hotel in the largest city, Almaty -- where they had earlier agreed to hold an event -- was suddenly unwilling to host them.

At least five Kazakh activists opposed to nuclear power have been placed in pretrial detention on charges of plotting mass unrest early this month, while others have faced administrative punishment.

SEE ALSO:

Kazakhstan Detains Activists Ahead of Nuclear Referendum

Public debates held in Kazakh cities over the space of the past year were emotional, particularly in Almaty, Astana, and Ulken, which is the town closest to the expected site of the proposed facility on the southern shore of Lake Balkhash.

One prominent voice adding authority to the "no" campaign is Aset Nauryzbaev, a former top manager of the national electricity grid.

Anti-nuclear advocate Vadim Ni cuts a nuclear power plant cake at a press conference in Almaty on March 28 to highlight the destructive potential of a nuclear accident.

He has argued that even the government's $10 billion-$12 billion estimate for the plant is too expensive for Kazakhstan, necessitating either a steep rise in electricity rates or huge subsidies for power production.

Nauryzbaev maintains that ramping up production of renewables would be both feasible and four times cheaper than the nuclear option.

Other opponents say the project that authorities expect to build over eight years will become a magnet for corruption, like so many other Kazakh megaprojects before it, compromising safety.

The government has countered that necessary oversight of the project by international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency will ensure high levels of compliance and minimize corruption risks.

Will Russia Build It?

The word "Russia" will not feature on the ballot. But for many it is one of the most important questions to be asked.

Moscow made a major contribution to global nuclear-phobia in the early weeks of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Russian military forces occupied the territory surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, sparking fears of war-related nuclear fallout.

And Moscow's nuclear energy giant Rosatom, which is slated to build a smaller nuclear facility in next-door Uzbekistan, could represent a sanctions risk in the future, even if the company is not currently targeted with the kind of retaliatory measures that Western governments have slapped on other Russian companies.

To date, Rosatom is just one of four contractors whose reactors are under consideration for the prospective plant along with EDF of France, the China National Nuclear Corporation, and South Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

Intriguingly, Kazakh authorities have mentioned the prospect of an international consortium working on the project -- a fine example of the "multivector" foreign policy that Astana has been promoting vigorously since the Ukraine war began.

But sky-high geopolitical tensions would surely make Russia an undesirable partner for Seoul and Paris, if not for Beijing.

And with the Kremlin already irritated by ally Kazakhstan's neutral stance on the war, the cost of completely snubbing Moscow on such a strategic project might be too great for the Central Asian country to contemplate

.
Chris Rickleton is a journalist living in Almaty. Before joining RFE/RL he was Central Asia bureau chief for Agence France-Presse, where his reports were regularly republished by major outlets such as MSN, Euronews, Yahoo News, and The Guardian. He is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

In Michigan, Kamala Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Israel

During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, and discussed efforts to end the war.
PHOTO: Reuters

October 04, 2024 


MICHIGAN — US Vice-President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Oct 4, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.

During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official.


She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.

Wa'el Alzayat, chief executive of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the US handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset US policy in the region.

"Emgage Action asked Vice-President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence" in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said.


"She agrees that this war needs to end."

Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good "give and take" on the issues, including "the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the US and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces".

"We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We'll see what happens," he said.

"This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We're going to continue to meet."

Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county.

Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation.

Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting.

Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.

Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former President Donald Trump on Nov 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race.

Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.

Harris' meeting on Oct 4 comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week.

On Oct 3, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.

Harris' national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Oct 2 and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel's military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.

Some Arab Americans believe Harris' refusal to distance herself from President Biden's policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November.

"Harris is going to lose Michigan," said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader.

"I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her."

Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.

She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Oct 3 declined to make a presidential endorsement.

The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union's rank-and-file members, an aide said.

After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan's auto industry.

A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is "putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035".

In Michigan, Harris meets Arab American leaders angry over Gaza, Lebanon conflicts

Some warn mounting anger of Harris continued support for Israel could cost the Democrat the state with its large Arab American community

By Reuters and ToI Staff

Today, 10:56 a

Democratic presidential nominee US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Mich., Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)


FLINT, Michigan — US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, as her presidential campaign seeks to win back voters angry at US support for Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

The meeting is one of several attempts in recent days to mend fences with Muslim and Arab voters, who resoundingly backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 but could withhold their votes from Harris in numbers that would cost her the key state of Michigan.

During the half-hour meeting, Harris expressed her concern on the scale of suffering in Gaza, civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and discussed efforts to end the war, according to a campaign official. She also discussed efforts to prevent a regional war, the official added.

Israel launched the war against Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 massacre which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Harris has repeatedly said she supports a ceasefire in Gaza that will see the hostages released and ensure Israel’s security.

Israel stepped up its strikes on Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks and launched a limited ground operation in a bid to end the rocket fire on northern Israel that started on October 8th and allow tens of thousands of evacuated citizens to return to their homes in northern Israel.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories
Newsletter email addressGet it
By signing up, you agree to the terms

Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action which recently endorsed her, said participants shared their deep disappointment with the US handling of the crisis and called on her to do everything in her power to end the war and reset US policy in the region.

“Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence” in Gaza and Lebanon, Alzayat said. “She agrees that this war needs to end.”

Abbas Alwieh, a Michigan uncommitted delegate, participates in a press conference outside the United Center before the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, said the meeting included a good “give and take” on the issues, including “the need for a ceasefire, and the support needed from the United States and its allies to address the humanitarian crisis, the presidential leadership void in Lebanon, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces.”

“We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “This was a valuable two-sided exchange, and we made important progress in our relationship. We’re going to continue to meet.”

Other participants included Assad Turfe, deputy county executive of Wayne County, Michigan’s most populous county.

Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute and a longtime member of the Democratic National Committee, said he declined the invitation. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign said they were not invited to the meeting. Hala Hijazi, a longtime friend of Harris who has lost dozens of members of her family in Gaza, was unable to attend.

Harris, a Democrat, faces Republican former US president Donald Trump on November 5 in what opinion polls show to be a tight presidential race. Both candidates have roughly even levels of support among Arab Americans, according to a poll published this week by the Arab American Institute.

Harris’ meeting on Friday comes on the heels of other efforts by her team this week. On Thursday, her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, promised on a Zoom call with Muslim voters that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration.

Harris’ national security adviser, Phil Gordon, virtually met with leaders from the Arab and Muslim community on Wednesday and said the administration supports a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon and stability in the West Bank.
Advertisement


Critics say Biden and Harris have done too little to stop Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while continuing to supply Israel with weapons to carry it out.

Some Arab Americans believe Harris’ refusal to distance herself from President Biden’s policies in the Middle East, as Israel escalates its attacks, will cost her in November

Eric Suter-Bull holds a Vote Uncommitted sign outside a voting location at Saline Intermediate School for the Michigan primary election in Dearborn, Michigan, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

“Harris is going to lose Michigan,” said Ali Dagher, a Lebanese American attorney and community leader. “I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her.”

Earlier in the day, in Redford Township, Michigan, outside of Detroit, Harris celebrated the union deal that ended a major port strike.

She spoke at a fire station whose workers are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters, which on Thursday declined to make a presidential endorsement. The event was designed to show Harris has support among the union’s rank-and-file members, an aide said.

After the meeting with Arab American leaders, Harris appeared with United Auto Workers union President Shawn Fain in Flint and vowed support for Michigan’s auto industry.

A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign said Harris is “putting a minimum of 37,000 auto jobs at risk by refusing to tell Michiganders if she still supports her proposed plan to ban all internal combustion engine cars by 2035.”