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SvennoJ on 09 July 2024
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Australia appoints special envoy to combat anti-Semitism

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the appointment of Jillian Segal as the new special envoy to combat anti-Semitism in Australia as a “critical step” in “easing tensions [in Australia] as a result of the devastating conflict in the Middle East.”

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said a new special envoy to combat Islamophobia will also be appointed and announced shortly.

The Jewish Council of Australia described Segal as a “pro-Israel advocate” and expressed concern her appointment could “undermine important work across racial lines to address all forms of racism”.

“This threat must be addressed through working together – not driving more racism,” Max Kaiser, the executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia said.





Qatari PM discusses Gaza war with US official

The joint mediation efforts to end the war on the Gaza Strip have topped the discussions between Qatari and US officials in Doha, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.

The meeting between Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf took place in Doha, it said in a statement posted online.

Temporary ceasefire could open space for permanent one

Hassan Barari, a professor of international affairs at Qatar University, says that a temporary ceasefire would be important as it would eventually pave the way for a permanent one.

Barari said the first phase of the ceasefire proposal – six weeks without any fighting – is crucial for the people of Gaza to get some sense of security after nine months of relentless attacks, and to receive desperately needed humanitarian aid.

“This would create a different dynamic in Israeli and Palestinian societies by bridging the gap between the two sides,” Barari told Al Jazeera.

“It could create an interest for both sides to negotiate an end to the war because this is not good for both Israelis and Palestinians,” he said.

This is why Hamas has shown a degree of flexibility, Barari added, referring to a report saying that the group had dropped a key demand that Israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire before it would sign an agreement.

“Hamas has a responsibility to stop the war now and to do that it needs some concessions and that’s why they came up with a flexible position … because they want to put an end to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians,” he said.

Otherwise, the Israeli government would have additional ammunition to accuse the armed group of not being interested in a peace deal, Barari added.



Egypt believes Israel will ultimately leave Gaza: Former FM

Hussein Haridi, the former Egyptian foreign minister, has said Cairo’s position on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and opposition to a permanent Israeli presence along the Philadelphi Corridor (the strip of land in southern Gaza that abuts its border with Egypt) – are well known.

“The Americans are well aware of the Egyptian position,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that the US is trying to work out differences between Egypt and Israel on these points.

“Generally speaking, Egypt believes and is working for the Palestinian Authority to exercise its full control on the Gaza Strip once the Israeli forces would withdraw completely,” Haridi said.

“These are the points we are negotiating with the Americans and probably with the Israeli side as far as the Philadelphi Corridor and the management of the Rafah crossing are concerned,” he added.

He concluded: “Ultimately, we believe that the Israelis will have to leave the Gaza Strip and we are negotiating with them starting from this point … But, of course, we can speak about transitional arrangements.”