Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    US employment cost index 3.6% up in year to June 2025    Egypt welcomes Canada, Malta's decision to recognise Palestinian state    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Sterling set for sharpest monthly drop since 2022    Egypt, Brazil sign deal to boost pharmaceutical cooperation    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Opinion| What will remain of the Palestinian cause?
Published in Daily News Egypt on 04 - 01 - 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gained the approval of the Knesset majority (63 votes) for his government, the 37th in Israel and the sixth headed by a leader of the right-wing Likud Party. This new government can be described as the most right-wing and most extreme in the history of Israel. It, actually, includes MPs formerly convicted of criminal charges.
Netanyahu announced the action plan of his new government, which includes settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories, thwarting Iran's attempts to develop its nuclear weapons, and reshaping Israel's foreign policy in line with international changes that may lead to a multipolar world.
The problem of settlement expansion remains one of the most serious issues that impede the establishment of a Palestinian state so far. This is not new, of course, but under the current government, which is the most extremist in the history of the Israeli government, the situation is completely different this time. All indications are that the worst is to come.
Two days before the government was sworn in, the Knesset passed the so-called "Deri Law," named after the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Aryeh Deri. The amendment allows him to be appointed as a minister in the government, despite his conviction of financial crimes and a suspended prison sentence. It is expected that Deri and Smotrich, of the Religious Zionist Party, will rotate in the position of Minister of Finance.

Before the government's formation, the Knesset approved another controversial legal amendment, called the "Ben Gvir Law", after the name of the appointed Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir. This is where the amendment will give him expanded powers over the police in Israel. Ben Gvir, known for his far-right views, has in the past been convicted of inciting racism and supporting the Kach movement, which is banned in the United States and Israel.

Also, during the election campaign, Ben Gvir promised to address police shortages in areas with a high crime rate, and to be "tough on terrorism." He said he wanted to "relax" shooting restrictions to enable police officers to shoot stone-throwing protesters and to strengthen security forces' legal immunity. Another point of concern is the participation of the far-right "Noam" party, which puts Arabs and gays in one basket.

For the picture to appear clearer, the parties participating in the government signed a document that includes the foundations on which the government coalition was built, and states that the Jewish people have a pure and indisputable right to the land of Israel and that the government will work to develop settlements and promote Jewish immigration to Israel. Concerning occupied Jerusalem, the document emphasized work to strengthen the status of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and to preserve the status quo in everything related to sanctities. On the Palestinian issue, the declaration of the participating parties in the government said that the latter would be keen to support the security forces and support the soldiers in the war on "terrorism". The declaration also authorized the security service (the Shin Bet) to intervene in combating violence and crime in Arab society and to monitor social media networks under the pretext of preventing incitement and rioting.

The Netanyahu government's extremist agenda will represent a dangerous escalation and a violation of international legitimacy resolutions, especially concerning the two-state solution. Over the past decades, Israel has expanded settlement construction in the West Bank under all of its governments. The new coalition could push further for settlement expansion and the legalization of smaller outposts. The settlements are considered illegal in accordance with the international law, which Israel objects to and rejects, but what is certain is that the political vision is not yet clear, and it may be foggier for the Palestinian cause in light of the continuing conflict and internal division between the Fatah and Hamas movements.

Dr. Hatem Sadek – Professor at Helwan University


Clic here to read the story from its source.