“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

This powerful slogan which captures the aspiration for the freedom of Palestine extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, is resonating with student protesters across the US who are urging for an end to the violence in Gaza.

Despite months of peaceful protests, the US government persists in its military, political and financial support for Israel to continue the conflict. Recently, a bipartisan majority passed a $95 billion military aid package, including $15 billion in Israeli military aid.

In growing discontent over the US government’s policies on the conflict, university students across the country have turned to the legacy of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement and set up encampments, demanding university divestment from companies tied to the Israeli government. However, their nonviolent protests have been met with a heavy-handed response. Police forces have conducted campus raids in New York City and elsewhere, arresting students, faculty members and journalists.

On April 30, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) locked up over 100 protesters at Columbia University, the epicenter of the demonstrations, after House Speaker Mike Johnson paid a visit and was greeted with a chorus of “free Palestine”. With the raid, the number of individuals police had taken away from American campuses since mid-April reached more than 2,400.

Johnson called the students “lawless agitators” and threatened to call in the National Guard during his visit. He was not at all helpful in cooling down the tension, and the White House’s condemnation of the protests as “antisemitic” only exacerbated the situation. In a rare show of unity, both US lawmakers and the executive branch want to silence the protesting students—possible reasons are intriguing.

But the students are only making justified appeals: safeguarding the human rights of the Palestinians in Gaza and opposing US complicity in human rights abuses. They refuse to accept the standard official lines that the US was only assisting Israel in its legitimate right to self-defense.

The images of encircled hospitals, ruined homes, as well as the helpless faces of children, women and the elderly who have been wounded or displaced do not lie. They are proof of how the US “military assistance” is helping Israel with its cruelty against the innocent and the vulnerable. The young people back in the US have the right to challenge the disgraceful behavior of their own government.

The US government’s stance in the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been questionable from the very beginning. On top of the continued military aid, it has been vetoing UN resolutions for a cease-fire and Palestine’s full membership, keeping the green light on for Israeli offensives that violate international law and, more deplorably, challenge human conscience. The Congress even passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which adopted a broad definition of antisemitism and could be used as an easy excuse to suppress criticism and the rights of Americans.

Just like decades ago when young Americans stood up against the Vietnam War, students today are challenging US policies that contradict American values and perpetuate injustices. Standing united, their voice is getting louder as they call on the US government to align its actions with its democratic and human rights ideals. Their appeal shows the struggle for justice is not confined to Gaza.

But what’s different now is that the US is becoming much less tolerant of criticism and opposition. As things stand, a peaceful expression of disagreement may result in days of custody. Unarmed students can become targets of police officers armed to the teeth, and any critic of government policies can be labeled antisemitic.

What is the US, and its politicians, afraid of? Do they fear that the closer the public gets to the truth, the more difficult it will be for the US to sugarcoat its real intentions? The path from Columbia University to NYPD custody poses a critical question: can America claim to be the land of the free when it suppresses voices for human rights?

The protests in Columbia University and beyond are about justice, an ideal held dearly by all Americans. If American policymakers persist in their indifference and turn a deaf ear to the concerns of their constituents, the nation will lose its credibility as a purported champion of justice and freedom in the eyes of its own people and all those around the world.

The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News, CGTN, Global Times, China Daily etc. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com.

Source(s): Global Times

Israel launched intense bombardments on Gaza’s southern city of Rafah on Friday, following the collapse of truce talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo on Thursday, further worsening the desperate situation.

Around 110,000 people have fled Rafah as Israeli bombardment intensifies, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Ten out of its 34 medical points in Rafah were forced to close and its three operational health centers in the area are running at reduced capacity, UNRWA said.

Approximately 1.4 million people, more than half of Gaza’s population, are sheltering in Rafah amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, according to the UN. Most residents are in makeshift shelters or tents, lacking access to clean drinking water, adequate food and medical supplies. This crisis is compounded as heavy fighting on the outskirts of Rafah between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants has rendered aid crossings inaccessible.

On Friday, Hamas announced plans to consult with leaders from other Palestinian factions to reassess its ceasefire negotiation strategy amid the ongoing conflict. The group’s statement highlighted that Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal has thwarted all efforts to establish peace. It also accused Israel of avoiding a ceasefire by continuing military operations in Rafah and seizing control of the Palestinian side of Rafah’s border crossing, even after accepting the mediators’ proposal.

Situation in Rafah on ‘knife’s edge’

An Israeli ground attack in Gaza’s Rafah could result in an “epic humanitarian disaster,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned on Friday, following the failure of truce negotiations in Cairo to reach an agreement.

“A massive ground attack in Rafah would lead to an epic humanitarian disaster and pull the plug on our efforts to support people as famine looms,” Guterres said at a news conference in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. He described the situation in the southern Gazan city as “on a knife’s edge.”

He also stated that the UN is working with all parties to resume delivering life-saving aid, including urgently needed fuel, through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.

UN addresses Palestine’s bid for membership

On Friday, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution supporting the Palestinian bid for full UN membership by recognizing its qualifications and recommending that the Security Council “reconsider the matter favorably.” The resolution was adopted with 143 votes in favor and nine against, including the United States and Israel, with 25 countries abstaining.

Proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on behalf of 22 Arab countries and co-sponsored by about 65 states, the resolution affirms that “the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted.”

UAE’s permanent representative to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, emphasized, “The vast majority of countries in the General Assembly are fully aware of the legitimacy of the Palestinian bid and the justness of their cause, which faces fierce attempts to suppress it and render it meaningless today.”

Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Alwasil, said that “The resolution presented today is fully in line with those resolutions. It seeks to implement the will of the international community and contribute to building true peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution.”

Also, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, expressed his country’s support and approval for the resolution through the official news agency IRNA.

In contrast, after the vote, Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, accused the assembly of trampling on the UN Charter.

An application for full UN membership requires approval from the 15-member Security Council before proceeding to the General Assembly. Al Jazeera reported that the 193-member UNGA’s vote functioned as a global survey of support for the Palestinian bid for full membership, which would recognize a Palestinian state. This follows a U.S. veto in the Security Council last month.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration on Friday expressed concerns over Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons during its military operation in Gaza, suggesting potential violations of international humanitarian law. However, the administration refrained from providing a definitive assessment, citing the chaotic conditions in Gaza as a challenge to verifying specific violations.

This conclusion was part of a State Department report to Congress, mandated by a new National Security Memorandum that President Joe Biden issued in early February.

Source(s): CGTN

China is not a “systemic rival” for the EU, their common interests far outweigh their differences. In the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners. “De-risking” does nothing helpful to an independent EU.

Since its first appearance during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in early 2023, “de-risking” has become a keyword in the EU’s policies towards China. However, people from the EU strategic community have become significantly more vocal about the drawbacks of “de-risking.” Several well-known think tanks and media outlets have published reports and articles explaining that an obsession with “de-risking” fails to achieve “economic security” and undermines EU interests.

First, “de-risking” weakens the competitiveness of the EU industries. The European Center for International Political Economy believes that the EU’s economic and trade policy tools and import restrictions, as well as excessive intervention and strengthened regulation of enterprise production, trade and investment at the micro level, will suppress industrial capacity and efficiency within the EU. Project Syndicate predicts that artificial intelligence and net-zero industry acts will significantly increase start-up business costs, reduce investment confidence and hinder the EU from becoming an international industrial leader.

Second, “de-risking” threatens to break up the EU common market. The German Marshall Fund warns that EU member states can only adopt alternative measures to the EU’s restrictive trade rules, leading to stagnation or even regression of regulatory cooperation in the common market. The London School of Economics and Political Science sees risks to European unity from growing dissension among member states, as well as between individual states and the European Commission.

A China-Europe freight train, which set out from Duisburg, Germany, carrying exhibits for the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) arrives in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Ting) Finally, “de-risking” does nothing helpful to an independent EU. The Economist observes that since EU companies are deeply embedded in global production and distribution networks, strengthening interdependence with other economies would help enhance their independence. Promoting “partial decoupling” under the pretext of “economic security” completely contradicts it. The Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel advises the EU not to launch anti-dumping investigations against Chinese solar panels, as the EU urgently needs equipment for solar power plants and energy storage to prepare for the vast energy import risk. Pricy natural gas imports from the United States will only increase the dependence.

At the China Development Forum 2024, Ola Kalleniushe, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, expressed his opposition to tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports. “We have been investing in China for more than 20 years, and we will continue to do so. We need to keep trade relations open and vibrant for a win-win result in terms of economic growth.” That is true. Reasons lie in the facts.

China is not a “systemic rival” for the EU. In fact, China and Europe do not have clashing fundamental interests between them or geopolitical and strategic conflicts. Their common interests far outweigh their differences. In the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners.

Over the past 20 years, trade volume between China and the EU has increased sixfold, and bilateral investment has increased more than fivefold. According to a new report by The Conference Board, over 98 percent of European companies in China are very willing to stay. EU officials have admitted that the success of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy cannot be achieved without the infrastructure, technology, and materials China can offer. Since the beginning of this year, the EU’s rational perception of China and willingness to cooperate have both strengthened as exchanges between the two sides have increased at all levels.

This aerial photo taken on July 10, 2023 shows OOCL PIRAEUS, one of the largest container vessels in the world, arriving at Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua) Cooperation with China helps the EU enhance its ability to fend off risks. The market should determine the supply chain, while political intervention will create distractions. According to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, 59 percent of surveyed companies consider China among the top three investment destinations. The German Chamber of Commerce in China reports that 91 percent of its member companies will continue to operate in the Chinese market, and more than half plan to increase investment in the next two years.

A cool head can lead the way through the mist. China’s policy consistency and stable economic growth have proven it is a trustworthy partner and a stable force that will help the EU pursue strategic autonomy. Striding shoulder to shoulder, China and the EU will advance with a green light at every crossing.

Editor’s note: The author is a commentator on international affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News and publishing as it is from Xinhua News Agency. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Maldives News Network or Xinhua News Agency.