On Friday, India supported a UN General Assembly resolution affirming Palestine’s eligibility and recommending its admission as a full member. This move follows the US veto of a similar Security Council resolution in April. The resolution emphasizes Palestine’s compliance with UN Charter requirements and urges the Security Council to reconsider the matter positively. Notably, India has a long history of recognizing Palestine, having established diplomatic relations since 1974.
India’s commitment to a Two-State solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was reiterated by Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, on Thursday. The solution envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with security considerations for Israel being taken into account.
Former President Trump has condemned the violence that erupted at anti-Israel protests on college campuses across the nation, calling for the removal of ‘weak and ineffective leadership’ at universities and the immediate cessation of antisemitism. Amidst the chaos, police were forced to intervene in several incidents, including an out-of-control situation at UCLA where pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel counterprotesters clashed violently.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has requested a report from the Karnataka Police regarding allegations of sexual abuse involving Lok Sabha MP Prajwal Revanna within three days. The NCW, in a letter to the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP), condemned the incident and emphasized the need for prompt action to apprehend Revanna, who has fled the country. Revanna was suspended from his party, JD(S), following the allegations, which include the circulation of explicit video clips allegedly involving him and multiple women. Separately, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asserted that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins the current Lok Sabha elections, it will “tear apart” and “throw away” the Indian Constitution. Gandhi highlighted the importance of the Constitution in protecting the rights of marginalized communities. In other news, a Delhi-based doctor expressed her concerns about Uber’s safety measures after experiencing an accident while traveling with the service. She raised concerns about inexperienced drivers and has decided to boycott the company. Additionally, students from the University of Utah joined pro-Palestinian demonstrations, demanding the institution divest from its Israeli connections. The protests have led to the establishment of nearly 20 tent encampments on campus grounds.
The United States has determined that an Israeli military unit engaged in gross human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank before the conflict in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the U.S. will postpone a decision on whether to impose sanctions on the unit pending a review of new information provided by Israel. The Israeli government has vehemently opposed any such restrictions, emphasizing that U.S. military assistance for Israel’s defense remains unaffected. The scrutiny centers on a specific Israeli unit, believed to be Netzah Yehuda, which has been linked to abuses against Palestinian civilians, including the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian American in 2022. The U.S. Leahy Law mandates the cessation of military aid to foreign units responsible for severe violations of international law or human rights, but it permits waivers if appropriate reforms are implemented. This incident marks the first potential application of the Leahy Law against Israel, a close ally of the United States.
Pro-Palestinian Columbia students have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university, alleging discrimination and mistreatment in response to their protests over the Gaza conflict and against the university’s policies toward Palestinian students. The complaint, filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), claims that Columbia has failed to protect Palestinian students from harassment and abuse, and has retaliated against them for their activism.
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani Nobel laureate, has reaffirmed her support for the Palestinians following backlash for her collaboration with Hillary Clinton. Despite facing criticism from social media users who condemned her partnership with Clinton, Yousafzai has expressed her unwavering condemnation of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.
Pro-Palestine protests have erupted at New York University, leading to a tense confrontation between demonstrators and the NYPD. A video has emerged capturing a chaotic scene where protesters confronted and berated NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy and his officers, demanding the release of an arrested demonstrator. The incident unfolded on Monday night after police cleared a campus encampment set up by over 100 protesters in solidarity with those protesting at Columbia University. During the clash, some protesters reportedly threw bottles at officers, and one allegedly hit an officer in the head with a chair. The video shows protesters surrounding and insulting the officers, chanting “Free Palestine!” and labeling them as “fascists.”
Irish actress Nicola Coughlan has revealed that her vocal support for Palestine amid the Israel-Hamas conflict has led to warnings from certain agents and studios that they may not want to work with her. Coughlan has been outspoken about her support for the rights of innocent people in Palestine, but her stance has faced criticism and potential consequences in the entertainment industry.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, has expressed a willingness to accept a long-term truce with Israel and disarm if an independent Palestinian state is established on pre-1967 borders. The group’s political leader, Khalil al-Hayya, made the comments amid stalled cease-fire talks. Hamas has long been committed to Israel’s destruction, but the offer suggests a potential shift in its stance. However, Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and is unlikely to consider such a scenario.
