Breaking: EU Foreign Ministers Consider Sanctions Against “Israel”🌍

Politico |

💬 EU Discussion on Sanctions:
For the first time, EU foreign ministers have had a significant discussion on potentially sanctioning Israel if it continues to violate international humanitarian law. Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin highlighted the strong consensus on the need to uphold international legal institutions.

❗ Defying ICJ Rulings:
Despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah and open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian aid, Israel continued its operations. On Sunday, a bombing in a refugee camp killed at least 45 Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly, according to Gaza health authorities. These attacks have been broadly condemned by EU leaders.

⚖️ EU's Commitment to Humanitarian Law:
Martin emphasized that the EU has always upheld the independence of the ICJ and the necessity for nations to comply with its rulings. He noted the widespread concern among EU member states about Israel's blatant disregard for the ICJ’s provisional orders.

🔍 Potential Sanctions and Accountability:
Discussions included the possibility of a sanctions-based approach if Israel does not comply with the ICJ’s ruling. Martin also stressed the importance of accountability for the thousands of Palestinians killed throughout the conflict, calling for a meeting of the EU-Israeli Association Council to address these grave concerns.

“Israel's” Response:
Despite Israel's claims of military success, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The Israeli Foreign Press Department stated that the strike was assessed to avoid civilian harm and that the IDF is investigating the circumstances of civilian deaths, expressing regret for any harm to uninvolved civilians during combat.

The international community must hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. Do not be fooled by Israel's desperate attempts to portray its actions as justified.

[K.P.]

This pearl of wisdom was in the New York Times this morning, after the Rafah massacre.

These stenographers of genocide deserve to end up destitute forever.

Boycott, boycott, boycott.

[RT]

Erol Özvar, President of The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) of Turkiye, wrote on X/Twitter:

“I would like to call on the scientists and students from Western universities who were fired for speaking out against the atrocities in Gaza: Western scholars and scientists are welcome to apply to Turkish universities. Come to our country.”

[RT]

🔻Israeli Channel 13:

Netanyahu is preparing to dissolve the war council after the ultimatum issued by Minister Benny Gantz.

[NP]

Western Rafah, again tonight!!

[RT]

“Israeli” Tourism Industry in Major Crisis Amid Ongoing Genocidal War


🔻 Tourism at a Standstill:
Israel's tourism industry, especially Christian pilgrimages, has ground to a halt due to the ongoing genocide. Experts doubt it will ever recover to its previous levels. In recent times, this has formed the basis of a thriving tourism industry, generating US$8.46 billion for “Israel”in 2019.

💸 Economic Impact:
Tourism historically makes up 3% of “Israel's” economy and employs 200,000 “Israelis”. However, travel advisories since October have led to a dramatic drop in international arrivals, plunging the industry into crisis.

🚫 Devastating Financial Strain:
Tour operators in “Israel” usually rely on reserves to weather periods of violence. But the pandemic has drained these reserves, leaving many businesses in dire straits.

🌍 Global Backlash:
The conflict is having long-term impacts on “Israeli” tourism. Global protests are calling for a ceasefire and sanctions. Even “Israel's” most loyal allies are withdrawing support for the Gaza bombings.

✈️ Flight Suspensions:
Air travel to “Israel” is plummeting. Before the conflict, 250 airlines operated in “Israel”; now, only 45 remain. Turkish Airlines and EasyJet plan to suspend flights by March 2025 and October 2024, respectively.

🔦 Highlighting Injustice:
This crisis exposes “Israel's” desperation to maintain an image of control. The international community must recognize the severe impact of Israel's actions. As Yossi Fattal, director of the Association of Inbound Tourism Organizers in Israel, stated, the conflict has severely hit tourism.

Source: Tourism Review News 🗞️

[K.P.]

🔻Israeli media:

The battle will turn into a war of attrition for years, led by Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in the north, and will lead to the collapse of "Israel"

[NP]

News of a kidnapping in the center of Rafah

[NP]

🔺US Sen. Elizabeth Warren describes Israel's targeting of an UNRWA displacement camp in Rafah yesterday as "horrific" and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Last month, Warren voted to send $14 billion in weapons funding to Israel.

[NP]