International
140: this is the number of countries that recognize the Palestinian state
About 140 countries of the 193 countries that are part of the United Nations (UN) have recognized the Palestinian State and of them eight belong to the European Union (EU), although only Sweden and Cyprus did so after entering it.
Sweden was the last country in the European Union to recognize the Palestinian State, on October 30, 2014.
Three years earlier, on January 30, 2011, it had been done by Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004.
The recognition by Sweden in 2014 opened the debate between the EU member states and several legislative chambers approved resolutions to urge their governments to officially recognize Palestine as a state, including the British parliament, the Irish Senate, the Congress of Deputies in Spain or the French Assembly.
On December 17, 2014, the European Parliament (EP) joined the recognition of Palestine, by supporting a joint resolution of the majority political groups that won 498 votes in favor, 111 against and 88 abstentions.
The other six EU countries that have recognized the Palestinian State are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania.
They all did it days after, on November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council proclaimed in Algiers the establishment of the state of Palestine, while accepting UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, which meant recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
Six of those countries then belonged to the Soviet bloc, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia, then united in a single country, Czechoslovakia.
In the year following its proclamation, the Palestinian State was recognized by ninety countries and in 1995 the number already exceeded one hundred.
Cuba, then also a Soviet ally, and Nicaragua were the first Latin American countries to recognize Palestine as a state, in 1988. Currently, 24 Latin American countries recognize it, all except Mexico and Panama.
The last to do so was Colombia, on August 8, 2018.
The Bahamas, on May 8, was the last country to formally recognize Palestine as a State and its right to “self-determination.” Shortly before, Trinidad and Tobago (May 3), Jamaica (April 24) and Barbados (April 21) had done it.
Among those who do not recognize the Palestinian state, in addition to countries of the European Union such as Germany, France or Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom or Australia stand out.
International
7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Drake Passage
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a warning on Thursday after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage, in the waters between Antarctica and Cape Horn, at the southern tip of Chile.
Preliminary reports indicate that the earthquake occurred at 10:16 p.m. local time (02:16 GMT Friday) at a depth of 10.8 kilometers.
The National Seismological Center of the University of Chile also issued an alert on its X account for the same tremor, with an epicenter 258 kilometers northwest of the Frei Base in Chilean Antarctica. The center reported a slightly higher magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale.
Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) issued a minor tsunami threat for the coasts of Chilean Antarctica, placing the area under a state of precaution, with waves potentially reaching the Prat and O’Higgins bases.
The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) ordered the evacuation of beaches, rocky shores, wetlands, estuaries, river mouths, pedestrian coastal walkways, marinas, coastal roads, coves, ports, and piers in the Chilean Antarctic territory.
International
Peru calls Colombia’s president Persona Non Grata again amid sovereignty concerns
The full Peruvian Congress approved on Thursday a motion to reaffirm the declaration of Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, as persona non grata, initially issued in 2023, due to actions that “disregard and undermine national sovereignty” after Petro claimed an Amazonian island that Peru considers part of its territory.
The motion also requests that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue an official diplomatic note communicating this decision to the Colombian government and the international community.
This legislative action reiterates the first persona non grata declaration against Petro, approved in 2023 following anti-government protests against Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, whose legitimacy Petro did not recognize.
International
Netanyahu orders shortened preparation for Gaza city operation against Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday ordered a “shortening” of the preparation period before troops enter Gaza City, where around one million Palestinians are taking refuge.
“In anticipation of the approval of plans for the operation in Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the timelines to be shortened for taking the last terrorist strongholds and defeating Hamas,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The brief text, which may serve as a pressure tactic on both Hamas and the displaced Palestinian population, does not specify any dates.
The Israeli military has also not provided details beyond reiterating that “preliminary operations” have already begun in some neighborhoods of Gaza’s capital.
Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said in an online briefing that “the army now controls the gates of Gaza City” and that forces are stationed in the southern Zeitoun neighborhood and the northern Jabalia area.
“Additional forces will join the fighting in the near future,” Defrin added.
According to Gazan sources, attacks and bombings have increased in these two locations, along with the demolition of homes. The military has also called up 60,000 reservists, according to a Defense Ministry statement.
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