International
International partners embrace the Palestinian Authority for a two-state future
The international partners and donors of the Palestinian National Authority (ANP) met this Sunday in Brussels to cover their new prime minister, Mohamed Mustafa, who showed himself as a “responsible” partner for a two-state future for Palestine and Israel.
“These meetings are key to moving towards an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian State. Today is a very important opportunity to present to our international partners the plans and priorities that we have, as a new government, for the next mandate,” Mustafa said in a statement prior to today’s ministerial meeting, held at the headquarters of the European Commission.
This is his first visit to Brussels since he took office in mid-March and he participated, along with about twenty countries and international organizations, in this meeting, hosted by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, chaired by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, and also attended by the Spanish head of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.
The head of the Palestinian government presented himself as a reliable partner in the eyes of the international community and set the reconstruction of Gaza as the first priority of his new Executive, so he called for a ceasefire.
When the war is over, the ANP wants to “be prepared” to “care” for the civilian population in the Strip, in addition to “reintegrating the institutions of Gaza,” now controlled by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, with those of the West Bank, in the hands of the secular Fatah party.
Improving the economic situation of Palestine is another of Mustafa’s great priorities, and in this sense he asked the international community to put pressure on Israel to unblock the funds belonging to the ANP that the Israelis have kept frozen since the beginning of the war.
“We must take better care of the Palestinian authorities that we have because there is no alternative, and I think we are all convinced that there is no long-term alternative to a two-state solution. A two-state solution requires a Palestinian government,” stressed the head of Norwegian diplomacy.
Norway, which together with Spain and Ireland will officially recognize the Palestinian State next Tuesday, believes that the Palestinian National Authority, “which has all the control it can in the West Bank and East Jerusalem must be able to survive, strengthen itself, improve its ability to provide services, reform, and also plan a future return to Gaza, because we want a Palestine to be governed by a single government,” Eide said.
“We need to strengthen the voice of the moderates who really want to achieve a solution in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace,” stressed the Norwegian Foreign Minister, whose purpose in the meeting he chairs is that key partners and donors not only listen “attentively” to Mustafa’s plans but also “understand how serious the situation is.”
For Eide, the Mustafa government, with support, will be “capable of becoming the embryo of the State that we not only recognize, but also want to see in practice on the ground.”
“It is very important that we get together to try to support the Palestinian Authority because these are extremely difficult times for the Palestinians,” Borrell said.
And he drew a disheartening panorama: “The situation in Gaza goes beyond the worst. The occupied West Bank is on the edge of the abyss and runs the risk of suffering an explosion at any time. And while we speak, military operations continue in Rafah and its surroundings.”
In addition, the borders remain closed for humanitarian deliveries and dozens of Israeli hostages remain in the hands of Hamas, which today attacked Tel Aviv with rockets for the first time in four months. “This also has to stop,” Borrell added.
He highlighted the “immense challenges” faced by the Palestinian authorities, with “a dangerous socio-economic crisis, the impact of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, the closures imposed in the West Bank and other punitive actions such as the announcement by the Israeli occupation authorities to cut all the income that belongs to them.”
“That’s why today, with international partners and donors, we will focus on how we can better support the Palestinian Authority at this critical juncture,” Borrell added, urging to “do more” to help Mustafa’s new government.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
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Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
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