International
Israel’s ambassador to the UN gives 48 hours to UNRWA to evacuate its centers in Jerusalem
The ambassador of Israel to the UN, Danny Danon, today gave the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) 48 hours to evacuate its centers in Jerusalem, in accordance with an Israeli law that prohibits the organization from providing services in the territory of the Hebrew State.
“UNRWA will have to cease operations and evacuate all the premises in which it operates in Jerusalem, including the properties located in Ma’alot Dafna (in East Jerusalem) and Kfar Aqueb,” Danon warned on Tuesday at a press conference prior to a Security Council session, which deals with the issue of the agency.
The ambassador recalled that the law prohibits the agency from operating “within the sovereign territory of the State of Israel,” as well as having contact with Israeli officials and maintaining “any service or representative office activity within our territory.”
Thus, he said, Israel, which gave the agency until January 30 to leave its offices in East Jerusalem, “will end all collaboration, communication and contact with the UN or with anyone acting on its behalf.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres responded today to the letter sent to him by Danon last Friday, informing him that UNRWA must “cease its operations in Jerusalem and evacuate all facilities in which it operates in the city no later than January 30, 2025,” that is, six days in advance.
In a four-page response, Guterres describes this “unilateral demand” as “manifestly unreasonable and inconsistent with Israel’s international obligations,” and recalls that Danon has ignored his messages, which gave him “ample opportunities” to consult and negotiate with the UN
The United States said on Tuesday before the UN Security Council that the closure of the UNRWA offices in Jerusalem “is a sovereign decision of Israel,” and went further, stressing that “the United States supports the implementation of this decision.”
The diplomat Dorothy Shea, who acting heads the US mission until the arrival of the new ambassador, Elise Stefanik, thus adapted her speech to the new airs of foreign policy marked by President Donald Trump, aligning herself more clearly with Israel.
“The UNRWA,” Shea said, “exaggerates the effects of the laws (approved by the Israeli parliament to almost completely restrict the agency’s activities) by suggesting that they are going to force the cessation of their humanitarian operations in full.” These statements are “irresponsible and dangerous,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UN director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Louis Charbonneau, urged governments on Tuesday to make it clear to the Government of Israel that the international community “will not allow it to dismantle” the offices of the UNRWA.
“Governments must make it clear to the Israeli authorities that the world will not allow them to liquidate the rights of Palestinian refugees. They must support efforts to hold Israeli authorities accountable for starving Palestinian civilians in Gaza as a weapon of war,” he said in a statement.
The law to which Danon refers was approved last year and prohibits UNRWA from providing services in Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem, where more than 300,000 Palestinians live who do not enjoy the same rights as other Israeli citizens (they cannot vote, for example, in national elections).
The agency has about 30,000 employees and is responsible for carrying out some of the tasks of a State (such as providing health or educational services) to the Palestinians who were displaced after the creation of the State of Israel and their descendants, both in Gaza and the West Bank and in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
Israel accuses UNRWA of having links with Hamas, although so far it has only presented specific evidence against some workers.
The UN has repeated on numerous occasions that the services provided by UNRWA are irreplaceable because there is no agency or NGO that has its logistics, personnel and capabilities to carry them out, compared to what the Government of Israel advocates.
International
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.
The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.
The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.
The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.
The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”
De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.
International
EU Faces Migration Crisis After 60,000 Migrants Arrive in Spain’s Ceuta Enclave
The arrival of around 60,000 migrants from Morocco to Spain’s Ceuta enclave triggered a major European Union crisis on Friday, after Madrid described the situation as an “attack” on its territorial integrity.
At least 34 people died while attempting to reach the Spanish territory, according to local authorities.
Hundreds of migrants had begun arriving in Ceuta earlier in the week, either by swimming across the border or climbing security fences. Most of those who entered were young men and teenagers.
However, the situation escalated dramatically early Thursday morning, when the number of arrivals surged within a few hours, reaching nearly 60,000 people. According to the Spanish government, the vast majority of them — around 48,000 migrants — had returned to Morocco by Friday evening.
The episode represents one of the most serious migration crises faced by the autonomous city of Ceuta, which has a population of around 84,000 residents, in recent years.
Several European countries responded strongly to the crisis, with Italy announcing the temporary suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain, a measure supported by Finland and Denmark.
“The temporary suspension of Schengen with Spain is a necessary decision to protect the security of our citizens and defend Europe’s borders,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a post on X.
Italy’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the country had tightened controls on maritime and air entry points from Spain, but clarified that the measure would not affect Spanish or European citizens traveling to Italy.
The additional checks will specifically target non-European citizens arriving from Spain, according to the ministry.
The measure will remain in effect for one month starting Saturday, authorities said.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares responded to the Italian announcement through a statement on X, as European governments continued discussions over the consequences of the migration crisis.
International
Chuck Schumer Unveils Proposal to Strengthen Oversight of the U.S. Presidency
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday announced legislation to establish a federal anti-corruption office aimed at strengthening oversight of the executive branch and preventing future presidents from using the White House for personal financial gain.
Schumer said the proposal was prompted by what he described as President Donald Trump’s misuse of the presidencyto benefit his family’s business interests.
“In just 18 months, the Trump family has made more than $4 billion by exploiting the influence of the presidency,” Schumer alleged.
The New York senator also argued that the alleged corruption has had direct economic consequences for American households.
“The same corrupt practices Trump is using to pocket billions of dollars are also forcing Americans to pay, on average, $3,100 more each year because of the rising cost of living,” he said.
The legislation was introduced alongside Democratic Senators Alex Padilla, Jeff Merkley, and Andy Kim.
According to Schumer, the bill has two primary objectives: “First, to return money to the American people. Second, to ensure that no one can ever steal from them again.”
He added that the proposal would create legal mechanisms allowing citizens to seek the recovery of funds allegedly obtained through government corruption.
“The fact that Trump stole money from the American people does not make it his. Americans deserve to get that money back,” Schumer said.
Under the proposed legislation, any U.S. citizen—as well as state attorneys general acting on behalf of their residents—would be authorized to file civil lawsuits to recover funds allegedly acquired through corrupt practices by public officials.
“Our bill would empower any individual, including a state attorney general acting on behalf of the people of that state, to bring legal action to recover money stolen from the public through government corruption,” Schumer said.
The measure is expected to face debate in Congress, where Republicans and Democrats remain deeply divided over executive accountability and the scope of presidential powers.
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
EU Faces Migration Crisis After 60,000 Migrants Arrive in Spain’s Ceuta Enclave
Chuck Schumer Unveils Proposal to Strengthen Oversight of the U.S. Presidency
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