Day: March 3, 2024

ISTANBUL: An academic and cultural boycott launched by a Palestinian advocacy group against Israeli universities is growing by the day, according to an official. The Palestine and Arab World Coordinator of the Palestine Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), Nada Hussein, evaluated the reasons and impacts of the academic boycott against Israeli universities. Hussein stated that PACBI, which is part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions for Palestinians (BDS) movement, started its activities in 2004. "The academic and cultural boycott campaign aims to prevent Israel from covering up its ongoing violations and crimes against Palestinians by exploiting art, culture, academia and sports," she stressed. "The campaign specifically targets complicit Israeli institutions," she said. Pointing out that the effective solidarity in Palestine's freedom and justice struggle is on the radical rise globally since the Israeli attacks on Gaza, the official stated that thousands of scientists and corporations have demonstrated unique academic solidarity since Oct. 7, 2023. She recalled the "Genocide Case," which was opened by South Africa against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for committing genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians. "The boycott has become not only a moral obligation but also an obligation for all signatories to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide to impose a military embargo against Israel, as well as international isolation in academia, culture, arts and sports," she added. Mentioning that academic groups worldwide give their support to the boycott by sending open letters, petitions and calls, Hussein said that they also press for a cease-fire, the opening of border crossings, the delivery of aid to the people of Gaza, and action to lift the blockade. Cutting ties with Israel "The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) in Australia has announced the end of its contract with Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems ," she said. The official further noted: "This decision comes after more than a year of a pressure campaign against the institute based on a call by the Palestinian Federation of University Professors and Employees Trade Unions (PFUUPE)." "PFUUPE represents 6,000 Palestinian university faculty and staff working in more than 12 higher education institutions," she indicated. Hussien stated that four Norwegian universities have recently terminated their relations with Israeli universities. OsloMet University in Oslo has frozen its exchange agreements with the University of Haifa in Israel and has also decided not to sign a cooperation agreement with any Israeli university in the future. She said that the University of Bergen and the Bergen School of Architecture in Norway terminated two cooperation agreements with Israel's Bezalel Academy of Arts due to its ties with the Israeli occupation army and its role in the design of military uniforms and equipment. She emphasized that the University of Southeast Nor way (USN) in Norway also terminated its cooperation agreements with the University of Haifa and Hadassah Academic College in Israel. "The university depended its decision on Israel's aggression against the Gaza Strip, the tragic humanitarian situation of its residents, and Israel's ignoring of genocide prevention rulings at the ICJ," she said. "A university spokesperson said the move sends a message that 'Israeli aggression is unacceptable." 'Israeli universities are part of a system of settler colonialism and apartheid' Calling on the academic community to boycott Israeli universities as an integral part of the settler colonialism and apartheid system, Hussien said: "Tel Aviv University developed the Dahiya Doctrine, named about the southern region of Lebanon, which is associated with the excessive use of force by the Israeli army against the civilian population and infrastructure." "Technion University, in cooperation with Elbit, one of Israel's largest arms companies, implemented the apartheid wall an d surveillance technology," she pointed out, adding: "Ben-Gurion University houses the Institute for Internal Security, which develops Israeli military technology and cooperates with the army." Hussien underlined that Israeli universities are complicit in the crimes committed against the Palestinian people, as they play a fundamental role in developing Israel's military and security knowledge. "Ariel University was established in the illegal Israeli settlement called Ariel, which was built on land belonging to Palestinian families for generations in the occupied West Bank," she decried. "The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, also built on Palestinian land, launched educational programs designed to facilitate the lives of soldiers of the Israeli occupation army and members of the Israeli intelligence service," the coordinator added. Intentional targeting of Palestinian students, academics Hussien further underlined that all forms of boycott complement each other, noting that comprehensive international isol ation can be implemented by putting pressure on Israel in all sectors and levels. She pointed out that Israel's violent and deliberate attacks on education in Palestine have been ongoing since 1948, mentioning that schools and universities in Palestine have been closed for long periods and that Israeli forces have systematically deprived students and academics of their right to education, as well as their right to life, by deliberately targeting them and arresting, injuring or killing them. Emphasizing the cultural genocide in the Gaza Strip and the systematic destruction of the education sector, Hussien said: "Bombs have destroyed 70% of universities and schools in Gaza." "There have also been targeted terrorist attacks against students and academics in the 1948 territories, including the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem," she criticized. Israel has launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people. At least 30,03 5 Palestinians have since been killed, and 70,457 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities. Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine. In comparison, 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel is accused of genocide by the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANTALYA: Trkiye's first space traveler Alper Gezeravci highlighted on Saturday the nation's burgeoning potential in space during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Gezeravci emphasized the unifying role of space diplomacy, urging youth to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. He underscored Trkiye's achievements, saying the country deserved to be recognized for its contributions to space exploration. Gezeravci's successful space mission exemplifies Trkiye's commitment to international collaboration in space exploration. Trkiye's Space Agency (TUA) President Yusuf Kirac agreed with Gezeravci, emphasizing Trkiye's active participation in global space initiatives. He highlighted Trkiye's role in shaping the future of space exploration and promoting inclusivity within the sector. Christian Feichtinger, director-general of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) praised Trkiye's rapid progress in space, citing its ambitious plans for lunar exploration. Feichtinger emphasized Trkiye's exemplary r ole in space development. Dominique Tilmans and Yu Chi, who were representing international space organizations, emphasized the importance of space cooperation and its potential to drive global economic growth and innovation. The discussions at the forum underscored Trkiye's growing influence in space diplomacy and its commitment to shaping a brighter future for space exploration. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Trkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met on Sunday his Bangladeshi and Panamanian counterparts, Hasan Mahmud and Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, respectively, the Foreign Ministry said. The meetings took place on sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), the ministry said on X. It did not provide any further details. Fidan also met his counterparts from African countries and leaders of regional organizations, diplomatic sources said. He said Trkiye has developed a systematic and multidimensional cooperation model with African countries, based on principles of equal partnership and mutual respect, the sources quoted him as saying. Emphasizing that Trkiye has diplomatic missions in 44 African countries, Fidan noted that the total trade volume with the continent exceeds $40 billion, and Ankara's direct investments in the region have surpassed $6 billion. He argued that Africa is still an arena of struggle among "neo-colonial" powers, saying Trkiye's support is essential in addressing the continent 's security risks, as well as challenges in development, access to food, and debt. Stressing the importance of finding solutions to Africa's problems within the continent, Fidan mentioned that the 3rd Trkiye-Africa cooperation conference will be organized soon. Fidan expressed gratitude to South Africa, which brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in the Gaza Strip, and to Djibouti and Comoros for raising the issue at the UN court. The three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which saw the participation of nine heads of state and government, as well as 25 foreign ministers from the African continent, concluded on Sunday. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANTALYA: Lawmakers of the US have taken a negative position towards South Africa since the genocide trial it initiated against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the latter's top diplomat said on Sunday. "In terms of responses, unfortunately, there are some legislators in the United States of America that have taken a very negative position against my country," South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor told Anadolu on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Trkiye. The US being the world's largest economy, Pandor said its position is posing a danger to investment and employment in South Africa. "So, we have to continue to lobby the American people to say, 'to act against South Africa when they were pursuing a very moral and correct issue in the global space, would be entirely wrong,'" Pandor further said. In late 2023 South Africa filed a case at the ICJ, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention. T he UN court, in its interim ruling on Jan. 26, ruled that South Africa's claims are plausible. It ordered provisional measures for Israel's government to prevent genocidal acts and allow humanitarian flow into the Gaza Strip, where it has killed more than 30,000 people since the Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian group Hamas. The initial Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people. The foreign minister said South Africa is a sovereign nation, has a right "to take up our case," and even though many countries don't agree with its support for Palestine, "this is something we've always had, and we will not turn out back on the Palestinian people." Asked if Israel implemented the ICJ's provisional measures, Pandor said: "No, they haven't applied. We all know. In fact, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has rejected. But this is not surprising. We had the same with apartheid. When there was international rulings by the UN bodies, the apartheid state would say no. So, you're seeing very similar conduct and approach be tween the apartheid state and the Israeli government." Apartheid was an institutionalized system of racial segregation in parts of South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s. Trkiye communicated its appreciation for South Africa Pandor said "Trkiye has, from the beginning, said they appreciate the step that South Africa has taken, and always communicated this to us." "We are hoping that from the region, there will be countries who will join South Africa when the merits of the case are presented," she added. "We are still waiting for a date from the court, but at that time we will see who are really the friends of Palestine." Journalists under attack Pandor also commented on the killings of journalists in the Gaza Strip, saying her heart is "pained" and she is "absolutely disgusted" that correspondents "have not been able to operate freely." "Many have been murdered, and much of the world is silent, including the organizations of journalists, which often talk about press freedom. But today they're not saying much," she said. Asked about Western stance on the situation in Gaza, the South African diplomat pointed towards racial discrimination. "Well, this reflects a problem we've often spoken about. Which is that we regard people as different. If you are black, you are less human. If you are Arab, you are less human. If you're a European, you are very human, and so you must be protected. This is how the world is viewed. And I think we need to change that," she said. "And we in the South, we must fight for that to change." Source: Anadolu Agency

Gazze: The United Nations children's agency UNICEF warned Sunday of rising child deaths in the Gaza Strip as Israeli offensive and siege on the territory continues. At least 15 Palestinian children died from dehydration and malnutrition at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip as Israel tightened a crippling blockade on the area, according to local health authorities. 'There are likely more children fighting for their lives somewhere in one of Gaza's few remaining hospitals, and likely even more children in the north unable to obtain care at all,' Adele Khodr, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement. 'These tragic and horrific deaths are man-made, predictable and entirely preventable,' she added. UNICEF said the widespread lack of nutritious food, clean water and medical services in Gaza is 'a direct consequence of the impediments to access and multiple dangers facing UN humanitarian operations.' According to the UN agency, nearly 16% - or one in s ix children under two years of age - are acutely malnourished in northern Gaza. 'Now, the child deaths we feared are here and are likely to rapidly increase unless the war ends and obstacles to humanitarian relief are immediately resolved,' Khodr warned. She called for allowing humanitarian aid agencies to bring aid into Gaza from all possible crossings, including to northern Gaza. 'The sense of helplessness and despair among parents and doctors in realizing that lifesaving aid, just a few kilometers away, is being kept out of reach, must be as unbearable, but worse still are the anguished cries of those babies slowly perishing under the world's gaze,' Khodr said. 'The lives of thousands more babies and children depend on urgent action being taken now.' Israel launched its military campaign on the Gaza Strip after the Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people. At least 30,410 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and 71 ,700 others injured besides mass destruction, displacement and conditions for a famine. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANTALYA: Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu said on Saturday that her country is working closely with Trkiye to develop strong bilateral relations in areas such as the economy, as well as ensuring security in the Black Sea. Odobescu told Anadolu at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that she had a fruitful meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Bucharest at the end of January to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including economic cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and defense. Highlighting Trkiye as a 'key economic partner' for her country, Odobescu said around 18,000 Turkish companies operate in the Romanian market, with a trade volume reaching $10 billion in 2023. She described preparations for the first high-level strategic cooperation meeting with Fidan to discuss concrete projects in both Romania and Trkiye as a 'good opportunity.' She emphasized that efforts under the trilateral initiative, which includes Trkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania, against the threat of mines i n the Black Sea are another example of cooperation between them. This contributes significantly to ensuring and protecting security in the Black Sea, she added. She emphasized that the three countries' efforts to clear mines in the Black Sea will also help Ukraine transit its cereals and agricultural products. Odobescu expressed her delight at getting the opportunity to represent Romania at this year's Antalya Diplomacy Forum, saying the platform is ideal for exchanging perspectives on various crises and discussing regional and global issues in a challenging geopolitical environment. Israel's war on Gaza Odobescu also voiced sadness over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip amid Israel's relentless attacks. She said the Romanian government will continue to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the besieged enclave, stressing the need for the implementation of humanitarian law and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. She stressed that civilians' lives must be protected under all circumstances. I srael has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed 30,410 people and injured 71,700 others with mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Source: Anadolu Agency

The Republic of Cyprus is discussing with the US about the operation of a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Sunday, expressing hope that a concrete announcement on the matter will be made soon. Invited to comment on a statement by a US State Department official that the US is continuing its contacts with the Republic of Cyprus for the creation of a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza, the President of the Republic said that "a member of the US National Security Council was in the past few days in Cyprus for this very reason". "We are discussing this with the US and I hope that we will soon be able to announce something concrete," he concluded. The Republic of Cyprus launched a few months ago the 'Amalthea' initiative aiming at the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza, though a maritime corridor via Cyprus. The President was replying to journalists' questions after the annual memorial service of the EOKA hero, Gregoris Afxentio u, at Macheras Monastery. Source: Cyprus News Agency

We are ready to start the Cyprus negotiations even tomorrow, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has stressed, adding that "our non-negotiable goal is liberation, the withdrawal of the occupation troops and the reunification of our homeland, without guarantors and foreign 'protectors'". "This is my vision and for its realization I will spare no effort and sacrifices", he stressed in his address on Sunday at the annual memorial service of the EOKA hero, Gregoris Afxentiou, at Macheras Monastery. He noted that "we have to free our country from the burden of the Turkish occupation that has been going on for 50 years" and underlined that we have an obligation to work with all our strength to hand over a free country to the new generation and an opportunity to live and thrive in conditions of security, prosperity and progress. "I will exhaust every effort so as to create the conditions for the resumption of the negotiations, for a comprehensive resolution of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of the a greed framework and the principles and values of the European Union," he underlined. Furthermore, he said that the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Cyprus is expected to return to Cyprus in the next days, adding that her mission was a result of Nicosia's determination and political will, and noting that "we support (this mission) with all the means at our disposal". "We are ready for negotiations even tomorrow, we are very well aware of the goals and the aspirations", President Christodoulides said. He stressed that there are difficulties, challenges and problems "as a result of the Turkish stance, which in essence does not allow the Cypriot people to live freely in their homeland, a country that is a member state of the great European family, the EU". The current state of affairs, President Christodoulides said, "is not sustainable and cannot be the foundation for building a stable and secure future for us and our children". The President pointed out that twenty years after the accession o f Cyprus to the EU, "the Republic of Cyprus is now a reliable partner, with active participation in the European process and with absolute commitment to the reunification and the settlement of the Cyprus problem, which will ensure the fundamental rights and be compatible with European principles and values". Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A) FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 03/03/2024 UNTIL 0600 04/03/2024 Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards. Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times. Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1011hPa (hectopascal) Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be at times partly and initially isolated showers or a thunderstorm is expected, mainly over the west and north coasts. Later isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected, mainly over the south and east coasts. Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers Sea surface temperature: 19°C Warnings: NIL Source: Cyprus News Agency ISTANBUL: Trkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated on Sunday Shehbaz Sharif on his reelection as Pakistan's prime minister, the Turkish Communications Directorate said in a statement. President Erdogan spoke to Premier Sharif over phone and "expressed his belief that relations between Trkiye and Pakistan will deepen and expand during the new period." The call also addressed Trkiye-Pakistan relations, as well as regional and global issues. President Erdogan also voiced his condemnation of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, and extended his condolences to Pakistanis. Pakistan's newly formed lower house elected Sharif as prime minister for a second term earlier in the day, three weeks after the Feb. 8 general elections.??????? Sharif earlier headed a coalition government after the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022. The National Assembly was dissolved last August, and the country was led by a caretaker government.??????? Source: Anadolu Agency