Israel-Palestine Tensions Escalate: Daily Brief
Tensions escalate in Israel and Palestine; landmark treaty on violence against women celebrates 10th anniversary; ISIS guilty of genocide in Iraq, UN finds; Thai authorities seeking “humanitarian solution” for arrested Myanmar activists; Ugandan security forces surround homes of opposition leaders; Hungary blocks EU statement on Hong Kong; life-changing reform for people with disabilities in Armenia; and new international pandemic treaty could chart different global future.
Gaza officials report that 24 Palestinians, including nine children, were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes that came after Palestinian militants launched dozens of rockets from Gaza at Israel. The escalation was triggered by soaring Palestinian anger over the threatened eviction of families from their homes in East Jerusalem by Jewish settlers.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Istanbul Convention, a landmark treaty on violence against women. While the convention has spurred some positive new legislation, it faces an unprecedented backlash in some European countries despite soaring reports of domestic violence during Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
A United Nations team investigating atrocities in Iraq has found “clear and compelling evidence” that Islamic State extremists committed genocide against Yazidis in 2014.
Thai authorities have indicated they will seek a “humanitarian solution” after five Myanmar journalists and activists were arrested for illegal entry. If deported back to Myanmar the five would face certain persecution.
Security forces in Uganda have arrested at least 41 people and surrounded the homes of opposition leaders Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration tomorrow.
EU foreign ministers have been unable to adopt a statement accusing Beijing of cracking down on democracy in Hong Kong due to opposition from Hungary.
A new law has the potential to change the lives of the roughly 200,000 people with disabilities in Armenia.
And lastly: The proposed International Pandemic Treaty could be an opportunity to chart a different global future based on human rights – if not undermined by political posturing and national protectionism.