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Jerusalem
CNN
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The Israeli government has removed some of its most controversial rules in draft ordinances governing how foreigners can enter and stay in the occupied West Bank.
A draft rule was made public in February, and implementation was delayed after severe public outcry and legal challenges.
One of the most controversial rules would have required foreign passport holders to enter into formal relations with Palestinians. live on the west coast Notify Israeli authorities within 30 days of engagement, marriage, or cohabitation. Another draft regulation had quotas on the number of foreign scholars (lecturers and students) allowed each year.
But those restrictions were dropped from the official guidance released on Sunday. Currently, this rule he is set to go into effect on October 20th.
Israel says the new ordinance is intended to codify norms already in force.
The documents also say the new regulations will be part of a “two-year pilot period” after which “the situation will be assessed and a decision will be made on whether to implement the procedure.”
An Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity and asked to speak more freely, said the reason Israel asked foreigners to declare romantic ties with Palestinians in the West Bank was because of visitor visas. He told CNN that this was to simplify the process. Officials said, as an example, students with foreign passports who fell in love with a Palestinian would not have to renew their student visas every year and could receive the equivalent of spouse visas simply by registering as a couple. I said I can.
But Palestinians and human rights groups said the rule further undermined basic principles. Palestinian Rights in the West Bank –Such a rule would not have applied to Israeli settlements in the West Bank governed by Israeli Civil Code.
Much of the international community, including the United States, Occupied West Bank of the Jordan River since Israel took control of the region after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Israel controls all movement within and outside its territory.
A draft of the guidelines, published in February, was challenged by human rights groups and individuals in Israel’s Supreme Court.
in the statementUS Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said the embassy had been “actively engaged” with the Israeli government since the draft rules were released in February.
‗The role of COGAT in determining the eligibility of individuals invited by Palestinian academic institutions to enter the West Bank and its potential adverse effects on family cohesion, in particular the published protocol, continue to be concerned,” Nides said. “It is important to ensure that all these regulations are developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Palestinian Authority.
COGAT is the Israeli agency that administers Israeli policy in the West Bank.
Nides is married to CNN executive Virginia Moseley, who is senior vice president of national news gathering.
in the statementThe Israeli-Palestinian legal aid organization, which disputed the Israeli Supreme Court ruling, said the Israeli government had “deleted some of the most outrageous elements” of the draft regulations, but the fundamental question remained. said. Palestinians gain legal residency in the West Bank.
“[The] The Israeli military has the privilege of micromanaging Palestinian society, including interfering with academic freedom at the Palestinian University. This proceeding violates Israel’s international legal obligations, and HaMoked continues its legal challenge,” said Jessica Montell, HaMoked’s executive her director.
Israeli military admits Shireen Abu Akure likely killed in Israeli fires but won’t charge soldier
The Israeli Defense Forces have acknowledged Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akure as “likely”. shot dead in Israeli fire The IDF made the announcement on Monday while covering the Israeli military operation in Jenin in May.
- Background: Abu Akure was shot dead in May while covering Israeli military operations in the West Bank. An autopsy conducted by Palestinian authorities said she died from a single gunshot wound to the back of her head. Footage obtained by CNN – Corroborated by testimony from eight eyewitnesses, an audio forensic analyst and an explosive weapons expert – suggested Abu Akure was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces.
- Why it matters: This is the first time the IDF has confirmed that Abu Akure’s death was likely due to Israeli fires. A senior IDF official who briefed journalists on the army’s findings before being released said the army had no idea it was firing at the media and “probably” Abu Akure’s back was turned on the soldiers. In the on-set images, Abu Akure wears a protective vest that says “PRESS” on the front and back.
Iran sentences two women to death for ‘corruption on earth’
Reuters reported on Monday, citing Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA, that two women had been sentenced to death in Iran over the past few days on charges of “corruption on earth” and human trafficking.
- Background: “Earthly Corruption” is a term used by Iranian authorities to refer to a wide range of crimes, including those related to Islamic morality. “Contrary to news published online, those convicted tricked young women and girls into trafficking out of the country by promising them education and job opportunities, leading some of the victims to commit suicide. ,” he said to IRNA.
- Why it matters: Advocates and rights groups shared photos of two women on social media, saying they were LGBT rights activists and innocent. Reuters could not verify the photo. In March, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said homosexuality was part of the “moral deprivation” pervasive in Western civilization.Under Iran’s legal system, homosexual acts are punishable by death. There is a possibility that it will be
Erdogan accuses Greece of ‘occupying’ unarmed islands
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday accused Greece of occupying demilitarized Aegean islands and said Turkey was ready to “do what is necessary” when the time comes. Reuters reported.
- Background: Ankara recently accused Athens of arming its demilitarized Aegean islands, which Athens denies, but President Erdogan has so far accused Greece of occupying them. “If you take over the island, we will not be detained. We will do what is necessary when the time comes,” Erdogan said. Greece responded by saying it would not follow Turkey with an “outrageous daily slide” of statements and threats.
- Why it matters: NATO members Turkey and Greece are at odds over issues ranging from overflight and Aegean island status to Mediterranean maritime boundaries and hydrocarbon resources to ethnically divided Cyprus. I’ve been Turkey is also angered by what it recently described as harassment of its own jets by the Greek military.
The city’s famous ‘haunted house’, abandoned for years on Istanbul’s Asian coast, was finally sold on Friday to Turkish lender Isbank for 449.3 million Turkish lira ($24.7 million) .
The 116-year-old historic building towers majestically in the city’s affluent Kadikoy district. It was built in 1906 by the Prussian architect August Karl his Friedrich Jasmund. According to Turkish state mediaIt was named Laguip Pasha after the lieutenant of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Ragip Pasha lived in the mansion until his death in 1920, after which it changed hands several times.
The three-storey building has an enclosed area of 2,700 square meters, spread out over a large garden space. In dire need of renovation, his 20th-century architecture and spectacular seaside views make it an essential historic landmark for the Kadikoy district.
Due to the dilapidated appearance of the abandoned building and dilapidated facilities, the locals call it ‘ghost’.
The property was sold in an open bid and the court had originally set the price of the building at 449.4 million lira.
Isbank bought the mansion for just eight lira above the court price. According to Turkish media.
Nadine Ebrahim
Source: www.cnn.com
