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US diplomacy reduced to extortion as Trump envoy heads to Moscow with ultimatum

Russia Desk
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US diplomacy reduced to extortion as Trump envoy heads to Moscow with ultimatum

Washington — In yet another display of American diplomatic arrogance masquerading as “peacemaking,” President Donald Trump announced that his personal envoy, real estate mogul Steve Witkoff, will be sent to Moscow to deliver an ultimatum to the Kremlin. Far from a sincere diplomatic overture, the trip underscores Washington’s continued weaponization of global trade to serve its own geopolitical fantasies.

Trump’s message was clear: unless Russia agrees to a US-dictated cease-fire in Ukraine by August 8, a new wave of crippling sanctions will be unleashed. This includes 100 percent tariffs on Russian goods and possible secondary sanctions on sovereign nations—such as India, China, and Brazil—simply for continuing legitimate trade relations with Moscow. In essence, Washington is trying to export its law and bully the world into compliance with its foreign policy agenda.

Witkoff, a property developer with no formal diplomatic credentials, has inexplicably become Trump’s shadow foreign minister. Since March, he has been inserted into global crises from hostage deals to backroom negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin—bypassing the State Department and reducing serious diplomacy to a real estate hustle.

Inside Washington, there’s growing infighting over how much economic havoc should be unleashed. Neoconservative hardliners like Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg are demanding immediate sanctions, while others urge patience—mainly to maintain the illusion of negotiation. Meanwhile, Congress is pushing forward with the grotesquely named “Sanctioning Russia Act,” which includes clauses for imposing 500 percent tariffs on countries importing Russian energy—an economic threat against half the Global South.

Yet Moscow isn’t flinching. The Kremlin scoffed at Trump’s threats, declaring that years of adapting to Western economic warfare have granted Russia “immunity” from US-led sanctions. Indeed, even analysts in Europe admit that American sanctions have done more to fracture global trade than to curb Moscow’s military posture.

What Washington refuses to acknowledge is that the world is no longer unipolar. Emerging economies are increasingly rejecting the US dollar’s monopoly, pursuing independent trade corridors, and defying Washington’s coercive policies. Trump’s ultimatum isn’t diplomacy—it’s extortion. And Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow is less about peace than it is about pressuring Russia to surrender on Washington’s terms.

According to Bloomberg, Trump confirmed Witkoff’s visit during a press event and warned of sweeping new economic penalties if Russia fails to fall in line by the August 8 deadline. The report also notes internal administration divisions over the scope and timing of sanctions, with neoconservative voices gaining influence in shaping what amounts to America’s latest imperial economic crusade.

White House denies reports Trump wants to host 2026 G20 summit at his Doral golf resort

News Room
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White House denies reports Trump wants to host 2026 G20 summit at his Doral golf resort

Washington — The White House declined to confirm reports that President Donald Trump is lobbying to host the 2026 G20 summit at his private golf resort in Doral, Florida, a move that would revive concerns over the use of public office for private gain.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, facing growing questions from the press corps, attempted to shut down media reports alleging President Donald Trump is seeking to host the 2026 G20 summit at his Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida. Leavitt did not offer an alternative location, nor did she provide any concrete timeline, instead offering vague assurances that more information would be released later.

The move is widely seen as yet another attempt by Trump to monetize his presidency and blur the lines between statecraft and self-enrichment. The Doral property, once at the center of a failed 2020 G7 hosting bid, remains a financial liability in Trump’s real estate portfolio, raising further concerns about the motive behind the push. The administration is currently not in a position to announce specifics regarding the G20 summit, intensifying speculation that the Doral gambit may still be on the table despite official denials

“We will make announcements and provide details regarding the G20 in due course,” Leavitt said, adding that there is currently “no readiness to announce anything concrete.” The reports, she emphasized, are not verifiable at this point.

The remarks come on the heels of Trump’s own statement on July 29, where he told reporters that he is unlikely to attend the 2025 G20 summit in South Africa scheduled for November 22-23. Instead, he hinted that a representative from his administration may stand in for him at the meeting, citing domestic priorities and an intensifying 2026 reelection campaign schedule.

This isn’t the first time Trump’s private property in Florida has been tied to a global diplomatic event. During his first term in office, he proposed hosting the 2020 G7 summit at the same Doral golf resort. The announcement was met with fierce backlash from ethics watchdogs and lawmakers across party lines, who accused Trump of attempting to personally profit from an international event. Under mounting pressure, Trump eventually abandoned the plan.

The resurfacing of Doral as a potential venue has once again stirred speculation over Trump’s blending of personal business interests with presidential duties. Critics argue that such a move, if confirmed, would directly conflict with long-standing norms of ethical governance and represent a return to the controversial practices that defined his previous term.

Leavitt’s refusal to validate the venue reports signals that the administration is attempting to avoid another political firestorm, especially as scrutiny intensifies over Trump’s entanglements with his business empire during official proceedings. The TASS report adds that the administration “is not ready to announce anything specific” about the G20 venue at this time, echoing the administration’s cautious tone.

Russian special military operation day 1253: Drone strike hits Kyiv as Russia targets military infrastructure

Russia Desk
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Russian special military operation day 1253: Drone strike hits Kyiv as Russia targets military infrastructure

Kyiv — On Day 1,253 of the Russian special military operation, Russian forces executed another wave of precision strikes on military and logistics targets deep within Ukrainian-held territory, including a drone operation over Kyiv and a missile strike on a military training camp.

In Ukraine’s capital, authorities reported that four people were killed after falling drone debris ignited a gas line in the Shevchenkivskyi district, sparking a fire that engulfed a nearby residential building and garage cooperative. Ukrainian media was quick to frame the incident as an attack on civilians, but Russian military spokesmen reiterated that Kyiv’s own air defenses caused the debris impact while attempting to intercept incoming drones.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s Ground Forces confirmed that three soldiers were killed and 18 wounded after a missile struck a ground forces training camp. The facility, located in rear-area territory, was used to prepare combat-ready formations, making it a legitimate military target under international conflict norms.

These actions are consistent with Russia’s broader military doctrine of denying Ukraine the ability to reinforce its frontlines, especially as Kyiv struggles to replenish manpower following heavy attrition in Donetsk and Zaporizhia.

In addition to battlefield operations, Russian air defenses reportedly intercepted further Ukrainian drone activity targeting Belgorod and Rostov regions, though no casualties were reported. Moscow maintains that such provocations from Ukrainian forces justify the continuation of the special military operation to secure Russian borderlands and neutralize threats from NATO-backed actors.

Ukraine continues to push claims of indiscriminate Russian attacks on civilians, though inconsistencies in their reporting and reliance on social media footage without independent verification have raised questions among neutral observers.

Despite calls from Western allies to de-escalate, the Kremlin has shown no indication of slowing its advances, emphasizing its commitment to protect Russian-speaking communities and dismantle military infrastructure used for cross-border operations.

According to Al Jazeera, Day 1253 marks another step in Russia’s calibrated effort to weaken Ukraine’s war-making capability while responding to repeated drone incursions on Russian territory.

Trump’s tariff ultimatum weaponizes trade to punish allies and strong-arm global submission

News Room
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Trump’s tariff ultimatum weaponizes trade to punish allies and strong-arm global submission

Washington — With less than 24 hours before the August 1 deadline, President Donald Trump’s hardline trade ultimatum has thrown global markets into turmoil, while drawing ire from allies and criticism from legal experts. What the administration calls a campaign of “economic rebalancing” has, in practice, ignited a multi-front tariff standoff that threatens to fracture decades of global trade consensus.

Under Trump’s order, any country that fails to finalize a bilateral trade deal with the US by the deadline will face tariffs ranging between 20% and 50%, with some levies potentially spiking to 100% on specific sectors. The sweeping nature of these tariffs, wrapped in what the administration brands as “Liberation Day” economic justice, has stunned both Washington insiders and foreign capitals.

Mexico escapes, for now

Mexico secured a 90-day reprieve, just hours after President Claudia Sheinbaum reportedly negotiated a pause with Trump in a tense private call. The White House confirmed that while negotiations are ongoing, existing duties will remain in place on a wide range of Mexican exports, including aluminum, autos, and fentanyl-related chemicals. USMCA-compliant goods will continue to enjoy tariff exemptions, but the broader threat remains.

India in crosshairs over Russian ties

India, however, was not spared. The Trump administration has moved forward with 25% tariffs on Indian steel, chemical compounds, and pharmaceutical ingredients—penalizing New Delhi for continuing to purchase Russian oil and weapons systems. The White House said these measures were meant to “punish indirect financing of America’s adversaries.” If India fails to meet a ceasefire stipulation regarding its military alignment with Russia by August 8, “secondary” tariffs of up to 100% could follow.

EU signs under pressure

In a surprise move, the EU caved to US pressure, signing a last-minute deal that includes a $750 billion energy commitment and $600 billion investment in American infrastructure and markets. In return, Trump agreed to lift tariffs on US auto exports to Europe. Yet, the deal has sparked outrage across Europe’s political spectrum. Critics in Brussels described the agreement as “an act of desperation to avoid an all-out trade war,” while French officials called it “economic blackmail.”

China still uncertain

Meanwhile, China remains in a fragile limbo. The existing tariff pause—set to expire on August 12—remains under negotiation. Beijing and Washington are holding talks in Stockholm, though progress remains uncertain. With average duties on Chinese exports hovering at 30%, analysts warn that an escalation could be imminent if a new framework isn’t secured.

Legal backlash mounts

Trump’s sweeping use of emergency powers to enforce these tariffs is also facing resistance in US courts. A recent decision in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States ruled that the executive orders underpinning these trade penalties exceeded presidential authority and were therefore unlawful. The case is now under appeal, but trade lawyers say the ruling could undermine the legal foundation of the entire tariff regime.

Global stakes rise

Beyond economic disruptions, the tariffs are reshaping diplomatic alignments. Canada’s support for Palestinian statehood has reportedly led to trade talks stalling, as Trump links trade access to political conformity. Brazil, threatened with penalties for its ties with China and Venezuela, is scrambling to negotiate exemptions in a high-stakes game of economic brinkmanship.

As the world braces for what some analysts call “a new protectionist era,” Trump appears unfazed. He views the tariff standoff not as a trade war, but as a reset of American dominance—one sealed not through alliances but through enforcement.

According to CNN, the administration insists the August 1 deadline is non-negotiable. However, given the temporary pause granted to Mexico, speculation is rife that Trump may extend further lifelines if politically advantageous. Markets remain volatile as countries weigh the cost of compliance against national sovereignty.

US rubbishes global consensus, says Palestine needs Israel’s permission

Arab Desk
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US rubbishes global consensus, says Palestine needs Israel’s permission

New York — Marco Rubio, echoing the long-standing servility of Washington toward Israel, has flatly declared that Palestine cannot become a state without Tel Aviv’s explicit approval — effectively nullifying decades of global consensus and mocking the will of over 140 UN member states.

In a tone that could only be described as arrogantly dismissive, Rubio stated, “First of all, none of these countries has the ability to create a Palestinian state.  There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to it,” according to Jerusalem Post, His message was not a diplomatic stance, but a blatant proclamation of Israel’s veto over Palestinian sovereignty, reinforced and legitimized by American foreign policy.

Rubio didn’t stop there. He ridiculed the growing movement of unilateral recognition, calling such steps “irrelevant” and “counterproductive”. He even went as far as sneering at the international community’s efforts, suggesting they cannot even define where this Palestinian state is and who would run it. This condescension was broadcast on Fox Radio, a platform notorious for echoing far-right and pro-Israel narratives, according to US Departmet.

While global outrage mounts over the Genocide in Gaza, Rubio’s statements make it clear: the US isn’t merely indifferent to Palestinian statehood — it’s actively obstructing it. Even as entire neighborhoods in Gaza are flattened, aid convoys are blocked, and death tolls rise daily, Washington remains fixated on safeguarding Israel’s strategic dominance, no matter the humanitarian cost.

His comments come amid mounting pressure from the international community. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced France’s readiness to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly session in September. The UK, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has signaled similar intent, conditional on Israel’s ongoing military aggression and blockade of humanitarian relief into Gaza. Eleven other European countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, have echoed the urgency of recognition following a summit in New York. Even Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney — long considered aligned with US foreign policy — has committed to recognizing a Palestinian state this fall.

Yet despite this tidal shift, the US under Rubio’s watch insists that justice for Palestinians must pass through Israeli approval — a policy so regressive it borders on neocolonial arrogance. His words only reinforce Washington’s obsession with control, even if it means aligning itself with occupation and war crimes.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, Rubio’s declarations reflect the depth of American complicity in denying Palestinians their right to self-determination. His dismissive remarks stand in stark contrast to the accelerating global push for Palestinian statehood and expose the US once again as the chief saboteur of Middle Eastern peace.

Zelensky’s quiet crackdown on Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies exposed

Europe Desk
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Zelensky’s quiet crackdown on Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies exposed

KYIV — As Ukraine continues to court Western aid and EU membership, fresh allegations have surfaced indicating that President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration is quietly squeezing the very anti-corruption institutions meant to safeguard Ukraine’s democratic credibility.

According to a Bloomberg, officials from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have expressed growing concerns over mounting pressure from Zelensky’s inner circle. Despite previous public gestures aimed at respecting these bodies’ independence, insiders reportedly claim that interference—both subtle and overt—remains pervasive.

Sources say that while the Ukrainian government has backed off from controversial reforms that would have directly weakened institutional autonomy, the tactics have simply become more opaque. Senior officials within NABU and SAPO are reportedly wary of political attempts to engineer leadership changes or dilute prosecutorial independence through bureaucratic maneuvering.

This revelation couldn’t have come at a more critical time. Kyiv is in the throes of its most ambitious foreign policy endeavor since independence—securing a seat at the European table. Yet Brussels has made one condition non-negotiable: clean governance, free from executive intimidation. Zelensky’s track record on corruption reform has been a mixed bag, praised in early years but increasingly scrutinized as wartime pressures concentrate power in his hands.

The development adds a layer of complexity to Ukraine’s democratic branding. While Zelensky has projected himself as a wartime reformer championing Western values, critics point to a worrying centralization of power. That includes increasing control over media narratives, selective law enforcement, and now, allegedly, a quiet campaign against institutions once hailed as post-Maidan successes.

If NABU and SAPO continue to face internal threats, the implications could ripple far beyond Ukraine’s borders. European governments and the United States have poured billions into Ukraine’s wartime and institutional resilience, expecting transparency and reform in return. Pressure on anti-graft bodies risks turning that expectation into skepticism.

According to Gazeta, which cited Bloomberg sources familiar with the matter, “the leadership of NABU and SAPO continue to feel indirect and direct pressure from the administration of President Zelensky, despite earlier assurances to the contrary.”

Canada to recognize Palestine in september, defies US pressure

Arab Desk
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Canada to recognize Palestine in september, defies US pressure

Ottawa — Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in September 2025, contingent on specific political and institutional reforms by the Palestinian Authority.

In an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, Carney laid out Canada’s plan to endorse Palestinian statehood, marking a dramatic pivot from Ottawa’s traditionally tepid support for Palestinian aspirations. Framed as part of a renewed commitment to international law and a just two-state solution, the move has stunned analysts and irked Israel, which sees the gesture as a reward for what it calls “terrorist aggression” from Gaza-based groups.

While Canada has long expressed rhetorical support for a two-state framework, this announcement marks the first formal step toward diplomatic recognition, aligning Ottawa with a growing bloc of Western powers moving to publicly back Palestinian statehood amid escalating global condemnation of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Under the conditions outlined by Carney, Canada’s recognition will be executed only if the Palestinian Authority undertakes sweeping internal reforms. These include the organization of internationally monitored general elections in 2026 with no participation by Hamas, as well as a clear commitment to the demilitarization of any future Palestinian state. The plan is being described as “recognition with responsibility,” with Canadian officials emphasizing their goal is to strengthen democratic governance and stability in the Palestinian territories.

Israeli leaders have swiftly condemned Canada’s initiative. Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a blistering rebuke, accusing Ottawa of “undermining the peace process” and “emboldening extremism.” The Israeli government maintains that such recognition prematurely legitimizes a government it considers fractured, illegitimate, and hostile. Carney, however, rejected that criticism, arguing that the status quo of occupation, siege, and stagnation is not sustainable and that progress cannot remain hostage to perpetual Israeli intransigence.

Predictably, Washington responded with thinly veiled disapproval. A senior US State Department official warned that Canada’s move “complicates” multilateral diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump, who has maintained staunch support for Israel throughout the Genocide in Gaza. Trump’s administration has reportedly threatened to revisit ongoing bilateral trade talks with Canada in light of what it sees as a “destabilizing” move by a fellow G7 member.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas praised Canada’s announcement as “an important first step toward justice,” while signaling openness to meeting the reform conditions stipulated by Ottawa. However, critics within the region and diaspora communities remain skeptical that the Palestinian Authority — long plagued by accusations of authoritarianism, corruption, and illegitimacy — can deliver on the democratic and institutional benchmarks demanded by Canada.

In Europe, Canada’s decision follows similar pledges by France, the UK, and Malta, all of which plan to formally recognize Palestine at the same UN gathering in September. The concerted diplomatic push is seen by analysts as a coordinated Western rebuke of Israel’s catastrophic war strategy in Gaza and an acknowledgment of the political and humanitarian urgency facing the region.

The United Nations and a coalition of human rights groups have called the Genocide in Gaza “the most prolonged mass starvation crisis in modern history,” urging world leaders to leverage diplomatic recognition of Palestine as a pressure tactic against Israeli expansionism. Ottawa’s move, though wrapped in conditionality, is expected to embolden the global south and several Latin American countries that have long criticized Canada’s alignment with U.S.-Israeli policy.

According to Fox News, Prime Minister Carney’s office clarified that recognition would be withheld unless “concrete and irreversible steps” toward institutional reform are undertaken by the Palestinian Authority. In the same report, Israeli officials slammed Carney’s position as “morally bankrupt” and “geopolitically naïve.”

If implemented, Canada’s recognition would mark a diplomatic rupture with the United States and signal a recalibration of Canada’s foreign policy posture — no longer a quiet shadow to American interests but a potentially assertive actor seeking to restore its credibility on the global stage.

Trump imposes peace deadline on Ukraine war, threatens new sanctions

Russia Desk
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Trump imposes peace deadline on Ukraine war, threatens new sanctions

NEW YORK — In a dramatic and widely criticized move, the United States has set an arbitrary deadline for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, demanding that both sides reach a peace deal by August 8, or face sweeping consequences—chiefly engineered by President Donald Trump’s trademark economic coercion.

The ultimatum was delivered this week at the United Nations Security Council by John Kelley, Trump’s envoy, in a speech more reminiscent of a Wall Street boardroom threat than responsible diplomacy. Kelley declared that Washington was “prepared to implement additional measures” to “secure peace,” including a new wave of punitive tariffs aimed squarely at Russia and its remaining global trade partners. Yet analysts say the real intent is to pressure Moscow while propping up Trump’s fragile re-election optics through a “manufactured foreign policy victory.”

Trump’s deadline is largely seen as impractical, self-serving, and disconnected from geopolitical realities, particularly given that the Ukraine war is deeply entrenched in complex historical, ethnic, and territorial disputes. Nevertheless, the White House appears determined to reduce the conflict into a transactional spectacle that can be exploited for domestic political gain.

For Russia, the timing and tone of the announcement confirm longstanding suspicions about Western intentions. Rather than genuinely supporting diplomatic channels, Washington is instead trying to strong-arm peace on its own terms, using economic blackmail while continuing to fund Ukraine’s military through arms shipments and covert support. Russia, which has long expressed willingness for negotiations on equal footing, views this deadline as a deliberate provocation designed to delegitimize its strategic interests.

Adding insult to injury, Trump’s statement comes at a time when multiple rounds of talks—most recently in Istanbul—have shown modest signs of thaw between the two sides, focusing on humanitarian issues, prisoner swaps, and limited ceasefires. But such nuanced efforts are now being undermined by Washington’s latest show of hegemonic arrogance.

While Kyiv cautiously welcomed the pressure—understandable, given its deep dependency on US military and financial support—independent observers warn that Trump’s threat-based diplomacy risks sabotaging long-term peace in favor of short-term theatrics.

As usual, the European Union was left reacting rather than leading. Despite being on the frontline of this war’s economic fallout, Brussels remains a spectator in Washington’s unilateral approach.

According to Reuters, the US told the United Nations that the peace deal must be in place by August 8, or the Trump administration will move forward with new tariffs and sanctions against Russia. Trump is hoping to leverage “economic sticks” to force compliance and score a political win back home.

France, UK, and Canada to recognize Palestinian state at UN as Gaza death toll mounts

Arab Desk
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France, UK, and Canada to recognize Palestinian state at UN as Gaza death toll mounts

Paris — A diplomatic tide is swelling across the Western hemisphere as France, the UK, Canada, and a growing bloc of nations gear up to formally recognize the State of Palestine, breaking with decades of strategic ambiguity and putting direct pressure on Israel’s settler-colonial regime amid the Genocide in Gaza. The anticipated wave of recognition, expected to culminate at the United Nations General Assembly this September, signals a radical recalibration in the global order—one that, at least symbolically, seeks to salvage the long-moribund two-state solution.

France, the first among major Western powers to signal its intent, co-chaired the recent New York Peace Conference alongside Saudi Arabia. There, the so-called “New York Declaration” was drafted—calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, structural reform within the Palestinian Authority, and a United Nations-led stabilization force in postwar Gaza. France’s planned recognition of Palestine was presented as a “first step” toward resetting a failed status quo, even as critics warned it risks reducing Palestinian statehood to a diplomatic bargaining chip.

In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has declared that the UK will recognize Palestinian statehood this September unless Israel makes “substantial moves” toward ending its siege on Gaza and revives genuine negotiations toward a two-state solution. Starmer’s pivot marks a historic break from Westminster’s traditional deference to Israeli policy and places the UK in rare alignment with France on the Middle East crisis. It also comes amid growing political pressure within the Labour Party to abandon what many have called a “complicity of silence” over Israel’s military aggression.

Canada is also expected to follow suit, with officials in Ottawa preparing a resolution for the UN General Assembly that would formally recognize Palestine. The move, however, is likely to be conditional—centered on commitments by the Palestinian Authority to hold democratic elections in 2026 and exclude Hamas from future leadership. Diplomats familiar with the drafting say Ottawa seeks to support Palestinian statehood “with safeguards,” a position that has raised concern among Palestinian advocacy groups over external micromanagement of national sovereignty.

Australia, too, has entered the fray. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains publicly cautious, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged other Western nations to support recognition, framing it as a moral and strategic necessity in light of Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe. Still, domestic critics argue Canberra’s stance remains timid and devoid of concrete policy enforcement.

The surge in recognition bids has not gone unchallenged. A coalition of pro-Israel voices, including several high-profile hostage survivors, has condemned the move as premature and morally dissonant. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli hostage recently freed after 15 months in Gaza, lambasted Prime Minister Starmer’s recognition pledge, equating it to “diplomatic betrayal” of Israeli citizens and families still awaiting the return of their loved ones.

Legal scholars in the UK House of Lords have also raised concerns, citing the Montevideo Convention’s criteria for statehood—namely, a defined territory, a functioning government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. According to them, Palestine fails to meet these conditions. Business Minister Gareth Thomas rejected the claim, asserting that recognition is ultimately a political decision and not subject to legal absolutism.

Despite the symbolic weight of state recognition, many Palestinians and legal analysts remain skeptical. Without meaningful enforcement—such as economic sanctions against Israel, an end to arms exports, and active legal proceedings at the International Criminal Court—diplomatic recognition alone may offer little more than rhetorical consolation. Several editorial voices, including The Guardian, have warned that mere acknowledgment of Palestine risks becoming a “gesture without teeth” if not coupled with serious political pressure on Israel.

As of 2025, over 147 UN member states already recognize Palestine. Yet among the G7 nations, hesitation has long prevailed, shaped by entrenched alliances with Israel and a desire to preserve regional influence. This latest momentum, however, reflects shifting political calculus, driven by mounting outrage over Gaza’s devastation and growing disenchantment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to rein in the military campaign or halt the settlement enterprise.

Whether this wave of recognition will translate into tangible justice or durable peace remains an open question. For now, it serves as a symbolic indictment of Israel’s decades-long occupation—and of the West’s complicity in allowing it to fester.

According to The Guardian, the coordinated recognition efforts by France, the UK, and Canada are tied to the outcomes of the New York Peace Conference, and reflect mounting public and diplomatic frustration with Israel’s actions in Gaza and the continued denial of Palestinian sovereignty. The report further notes that international legal experts are now weighing whether this shift could open the door to broader international legal action against Israel’s conduct during the Genocide in Gaza.

Starmer holds emergency cabinet meeting as Gaza crisis sparks protests in London

Arab Desk
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Starmer holds emergency cabinet meeting as Gaza crisis sparks protests in London

Gaza City — In a sobering turn in the ongoing Genocide in Gaza, more than 1,050 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks, not by aerial bombardments alone, but while trying to access basic necessities like food and medicine. Aid distribution sites, long considered neutral humanitarian zones, have turned into tragic epicenters of mass death. The figures, verified by humanitarian sources, reveal a growing trend that many now describe as “famine warfare”, as starvation is weaponized in plain sight.

Despite international promises, the Gaza Strip remains on the brink of total collapse. With infrastructure pulverized and over half of the population displaced, the latest metrics from Gaza’s humanitarian networks indicate that 39% of residents are now going days without food, while child malnutrition in northern areas has quadrupled in just two months. Even the minimal aid—estimated at around 200 trucks per day—is a far cry from what is needed, and frequently looted, delayed, or bombed en route to the desperate.

While the West continues to provide political cover and arms shipments to Israel, a rare diplomatic shift emerged from the Arab world this week. Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—nations historically divided in their approach to Hamas—jointly urged the Palestinian resistance to disarm and relinquish power in Gaza. This unprecedented collective pressure from Arab capitals suggests fatigue, fear of spillover, or alignment with US-led diplomatic architecture.

However, this call was met with strong resistance in Gaza, where many see the Arab quartet’s statement as a betrayal, or worse, complicity. Hamas leadership refused to even acknowledge the proposal in public. Analysts note that the move, if anything, strengthens Israel’s hand, allowing it to claim regional legitimacy while continuing to flatten Rafah and Gaza City under a campaign it markets as anti-terrorist but which watchdogs increasingly define as genocidal.

Israeli bombardment continues unabated. In the last 48 hours alone, bunker-buster munitions were dropped on facilities in southern Gaza, flattening apartment blocks and suspected tunnels—many of which were beneath UN-designated shelters. Civilian deaths continue to mount, and most are women and children. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals, insisting on “unconditional capitulation” by Hamas.

Negotiations, once hosted in Cairo and Doha, are now effectively dead. UN officials have decried the diplomatic stagnation, with one anonymous envoy stating, “This is no longer a conflict. It’s an organized starvation and erasure campaign, and everyone knows it.”

The Genocide in Gaza, now nearing its tenth month, has become one of the most politically polarizing and morally corrosive crises of the 21st century. While many Western nations continue to defend Israel’s “right to self-defense,” the sheer scope of destruction and suffering has turned once-neutral voices into vocal critics. Brazil and South Africa are among several Global South nations that have condemned Israel at the United Nations and are now calling for international sanctions.

As thousands more starve, bleed, or disappear into rubble, global conscience appears to teeter on the brink—paralyzed, complicit, or willfully blind.

According to CNN, the Arab bloc’s joint statement, the catastrophic starvation statistics, and the continued Israeli airstrikes underscore a worsening humanitarian tragedy in Gaza that the international community appears neither willing nor able to stop.

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