Arab News Network

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said that it views with great concern the systematic Israeli incitement campaigns to escalate the war of genocide and displacement against our people, including the explosion of the situation in the occupied West Bank, deepening settlement, and seizing lands to complete the crimes of annexation and imposing Israeli sovereignty over them, with the aim of undermining any opportunity to embody the Palestinian state on the ground with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred in a statement issued today, Monday, to the boasting of Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich that “his mission is to thwart a Palestinian state,” and the threats issued by Israeli Foreign Minister Katz to dissolve and dismantle the Authority and impose more punitive measures on it, in the clearest comment on the racist settlement mentality and the culture of “bullying” and political terrorism, under the pretext of the Palestinian quest to issue a
resolution from the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, and to demand practical measures to implement it. The racist threats against the Authority are accompanied by unilateral and illegal punitive measures against our people, targeting all Palestinians in order to liquidate the Palestinian cause.

She pointed out that these threats are an expression of the Israeli government’s crises, political bankruptcy, and international isolation, and an attempt to export them to the Palestinian side, and an attempt to exploit the circumstances of the war of extermination and displacement to implement the largest possible number of Israeli expansionist settlement plans at the expense of the land of the State of Palestine and its people.

The Ministry reiterated that the Palestinian National Authority is the initial embodiment of the Palestinian state and derives its legitimacy from the will of the Palestinian people to persevere, stand firm and adher
e to freedom and independence. It is a direct product of international legitimacy and is not a hostage to the occupation and its gangs.

The Ministry said that it is following this issue with great interest with various countries and components of the international community to explain and expose the dimensions of the current Israeli plans, including the fierce occupation war on the Palestinian National Authority and its leadership, as it is the Palestinian legitimacy and the title of our people’s struggle, steadfastness and just and legitimate national rights, and to demand that the international community deal with the utmost seriousness with these daily threats and large-scale attacks to which our people and their homeland are exposed, and to take the necessary practical measures that are rejected by international law to protect our people and implement the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.

Source: Maan News Agency

Manama, The Supreme Committee for the 2024 School Games held its regular meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, with the attendance of Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, CEO of the General Sports Authority, and committee members.

The meeting reviewed reports from the executive committee on the progress of various working groups and updates on the implementation of sports, technical, and organisational tasks.

It also covered the latest steps in organising the scientific forum accompanying the School Games, as well as a briefing on the readiness of sports facilities, maintenance operations, and equipment provision.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Independent Commission for Human Rights (Board of Grievances) addressed President Mahmoud Abbas, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and President of the State of Palestine, regarding Law No. (08) of 2024 amending the Law on Remuneration and Salaries of Members of the Legislative Council, Members of the Government and Governors No. (11) of 2004 and its amendments.

The Independent Commission called on the President to order the immediate cancellation of the above decision, as it grants more retirement privileges to senior employees (those with the rank of minister) at the expense of the retirement rights of the rest of the employees and without them paying the legal contributions, at this particular time, which is absolutely inconsistent with the principles of good governance, nor the President’s declared reform orientations, nor with the Cabinet’s plan to rationalize expenditures.

The Authority called in its address to form a committee from th
e relevant authorities to review the issue of the rights and privileges of senior employees, ministers and those in their position, and to propose the necessary amendments to achieve justice for all according to the financial capabilities of the State of Palestine, especially since this decision-law was not subject to any consultations with the relevant official authorities or civil institutions before its issuance, and later its publication, nor was a study conducted to measure its legislative, economic, social and financial impact, which are necessary and assumed procedures when issuing laws that burden the public treasury and the pension fund with more financial burdens.

The addressee explained that if there is a need to equate those with the rank of minister with ministers and those in their position, it is necessary to review the retirement privileges of ministers, which have become a burden on the public treasury, which is expected to increase in the coming years, due to the Israeli occupation’s piracy
of clearing funds, and the well-known financial crisis of the General Retirement Fund, especially since it is not clear the size of the financial burdens resulting from this decision-law, the number of beneficiaries, its retroactive effect, and its impact on the contributions made by those addressed by this decision-law to the Retirement Authority, which is confirmed by many independent economic and financial opinions.

Source: Maan News Agency

Doha, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Emirati Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, emphasised the alignment of the UAE’s vision with that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, stressing the importance of cooperation among the member states. She highlighted the need for harmonising efforts, practices, and policies on key issues, particularly in enhancing regional food security, and acknowledged the GCC General Secretariat’s efforts to achieve Gulf-wide integration, removing obstacles and creating a shared vision for food security.

Dr. Al Dahak made this statement during her participation as head of the UAE delegation from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and local entities at the 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee of the GCC, hosted by Qatar under its current presidency.

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the meeting was chaired by Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality of Qatar, and
attended by ministers responsible for agriculture and food security from the GCC countries.

Dr. Al Dahak affirmed that the UAE, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, is making significant efforts to strengthen the agricultural and food sectors.

Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak invited GCC countries to participate in the first edition of the World Food Security Summit, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 26-27, as part of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week (ADAFSW). The summit will bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss innovative solutions to strengthen the global food security system, providing a platform for exchanging best practices and showcasing advancements in the food security sector.

The 36th Ministerial Meeting of the Agricultural and Food Security Committee of the GCC addressed key issues to harmonise efforts for enhancing food security, including the GCC Food Security Strategy. This s
trategy positively contributes to integrating procedures among member states to create a Gulf entity capable of withstanding crises.

The UAE also agreed with the GCC’s vision on several important files concerning the agriculture, aquaculture, and animal sectors.

Additionally, the UAE endorsed the adoption of the GCC Guide for the Collection and Transport of Animal Samples as a reference, ensuring its alignment with international standards and safeguarding the GCC countries from epidemic and infectious animal diseases.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Rome – Ma’an – The World Food Program said that 2.2 million people in Gaza are still in dire need of aid after 11 months of war, stressing that Israeli evacuation orders are hindering its efforts to provide aid to the people of the Strip.

The program added in a post on the X platform: “11 months of war in Gaza, and 2.2 million people are still in dire need of food and livelihood assistance.”

He stressed that “despite the World Food Programme’s commitment to providing assistance, evacuation orders are hampering efforts at a time when needs are increasing.”

The United Nations World Food Programme concluded by stressing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Source: Maan News Agency

Manama, The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and Bahrain Duty Free Company, signed a golden sponsorship agreement for the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2024, which will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during November 13-15 at the Sakhir Air Base.

The BIAS 2024 is organised in collaboration between the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, and Farnborough International.

The agreement was signed by Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, and Farouk Yousuf Almoayyed, Board of Directors Chairman of Bahrain Duty Free Company.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Ramallah – Ma’an – The Israeli occupation forces have arrested at least (12) citizens from the West Bank since yesterday until Monday morning, including a female journalist and former detainees.

The Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reported that the arrests were distributed across the governorates of Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Jerusalem.

The occupation forces continue to carry out extensive raids and abuse during arrest operations, accompanied by severe beatings and threats against detainees and their families, in addition to extensive acts of vandalism and destruction in citizens’ homes.

Source: Maan News Agency

Riyadh, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the GCC-India Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, led the GCC side as Chair of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council, while Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, led the Indian delegation. Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, was also present.

The meeting reviewed the strong and historic relations between the GCC countries and India, discussing efforts to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, and investment sectors, as well as promoting cultural exchange.

During the meeting, a Joint Action Plan for the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and India for the period 2024-2028 was approved, covering cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural, and social domains.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international
developments of mutual interests.

Source: Bahrain News Agency