Iran calls on Islamic countries to sever ties with Israel

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, has urged the OIC members to cut ties with the Israeli regime and put severe embargos on the commercial and arms dealings with the regime in order to stop its genocidal crimes against Gaza.

Delivering a speech at the 15th edition of the Islamic Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Gambia on Saturday, he said that “beyond doubt, this time period will also pass by, despite all its hardships and adversities for the Palestinian nation.”

“However, the manner and quality of the role that is played by us, Muslim states, in the face of this crisis will go down in history,” the top diplomat added.

“Undoubtedly, severance of diplomatic and economic ties and imposition of practical arms and trade embargo on Israel serves as an important means of cessation of its genocide in Gaza and atrocities in the West Bank and the Noble al-Quds.”

Amir Abdollahian stressed that what the resistance did in the course of time proved that its elimination was nothing but an illusion.

“The Israeli regime is not a legitimate government. It is only an occupying apartheid power,” he said, adding, “Passage of time is not going to lend legitimacy to an occupying power.”

“There is no doubt that severing diplomatic and economic relations and practical arms and trade embargo is an important tool in stopping Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its crimes in the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. We sincerely appreciate the Muslim and freedom-loving governments and countries that took action in this direction,” he continued. 

Iran’s top diplomat also noted that the realization of stable and just peace and security in the region is only feasible through the end of the occupation of Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland and guaranteeing the reinstitution of their right to self-determination.

He pointed out that the public opinion of the world and especially the Islamic world strongly expects us to come up with important recommendations and measures as the result of this Summit.

The foreign minister then proposed the following measures:

1. Emphasizing the establishment of an immediate, complete, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in all areas of Gaza, including in Rafah and even the West Bank;

2. The complete lifting of the human blockade of Gaza;

3. Exchange of prisoners;

4. Obligating the Israeli regime to conduct an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all military forces and their equipment from Gaza and securing an international guarantee for the safe return of the people to their areas and places;

5. Imposing an immediate arms and trade embargo against the Israeli regime;

6. Supporting the provisional binding order of the International Court of Justice and providing the ground for the trial and punishment of all the commanders and the perpetrators of Israeli crimes. To ensure peace and security in the region and the Islamic world, the rogue and occupying Israeli regime must be stopped, brought to justice and punished.

He highlighted that Tehran believes that in line with the efforts to materialize the motto of enhancing unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development;

First, by focusing and investing in human resources, technology and infrastructure, Islamic nations may very well utilize their great capacity to achieve the goals of sustainable development of Muslim nations.

Second, in order to deepen the level of cooperation and spread sustainable and all-round development, the network of economic, technical, developmental, commercial and financial-monetary cooperation between Islamic countries should be further strengthened in the context of targeted and joint agreements and mechanisms.

Third, creating a dedicated platform within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to share knowledge, expertise and resources related to sustainable development is necessary for the realization of the development plans of Muslim nations.

Fourth, it is a necessity to promote the economic and commercial integration between the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development, based on our values.

Fifth, making use of technological initiatives and innovations and the expansion of scientific research in order to advance the agenda of achieving sustainable development goals within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation requires the devising an appropriate mechanism.

 

Israel to shutdown Al Jazeera operations

Israel's cabinet on Sunday unanimously voted to shut down the Qatari news outlet Al Jazeera's operations in Israel, nearly six months after first announcing its intentions to do so due to security concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel's National Security Cabinet was scheduled to hold the vote on Thursday, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed it due to concern that the vote would not pass.

According to a spokesperson for Minister without portfolio MK Benny Gantz's National Unity party, this was because Mossad chief David Barnea requested that the government delay it for a few days, to avoid possible negative diplomatic ramifications relating to Qatar, a mediator between Israel and Hamas in negotiations for a deal to free Israeli hostages.

The decision required approval from either the government's National Security Cabinet (NSC) or the general cabinet, and Netanyahu chose to move forwards on Sunday in the general cabinet despite Barnea's request.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi signed an executive order immediately after the vote passed, and it thus came into effect right away.

In a video statement, Karhi called Al Jazeera a "Hamas incitement organ." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also posted on X, "The government under my leadership decided unanimously, The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be shut down in Israel."

National Unity's three ministers were not present at the meeting and did not take part in the vote. The party said in a statement that its ministers support closing Al Jazeera's broadcasts and even announced that they would support its closure in the recent (national security) cabinet meeting.

"Bringing the topic forward this morning for a vote in the government meeting is a correct decision but with terrible timing, that could undermine efforts to exhaust the (hostage deal) negotiations, and stems from political considerations."

The decision, which requires recertification every 45 days, includes shutting down Al Jazeera broadcasts in Arabic and English; shutting down Al Jazeera's offices in Israel; seizing equipment used for its broadcasts; and limiting access to its websites.

A spokesperson for the party said that its ministers supported the decision but called it a "political show" as it went against the Mossad chief's position.

The decision was based on a law that Israel's Knesset (parliament) passed on April 02, which expires on July 31. The legislation will therefore need to be extended if the government wishes to extend the decision beyond that date.

The law itself is also facing a constitutional challenge in the High Court of Justice by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) based on its violation of free speech, and the state has until May 15 to file its preliminary response to the court.

The government passed emergency executive measures at the start of the war that would have enabled it to shut down Al Jazeera temporarily. These were in effect from October 21, 2023 until January 20, 2024.

However, the government refrained from implementing these measures during that period, reportedly due to possible negative diplomatic ramifications relating to Qatar.

The legislation that passed in April was aimed at giving the cabinet firmer legal footing to move against Al Jazeera. In its decision on Sunday, the cabinet explained that it had classified opinions from the Shin Bet on April 09 deeming Al Jazeera a national security threat. The IDF and Mossad also provided classified opinions supporting limiting Al Jazeera's broadcasts in Israel.

According to the law, the decision must be brought before a regional chief justice or deputy chief justice within 24 hours, who then have three days to decide whether or not to change the decision or limit the length of the ban.

In its petition to the High Court of Justice against the law, argued that it unnecessarily limited free speech and was thus unconstitutional.

ACRI said that while there was no arguing the fact that Al Jazeera ran a "pro-Palestinian" narrative, this was not a sufficient reason to shut down the network.

In addition, the network provides content from Arab states and includes Israeli Arab perspectives that have been quoted numerously on mainstream Israeli media, indicating that its content was viewed as important, ACRI added.

The NGO acknowledged that Al-Jazeera had included content that incited against Israel. Still, the severity of this incitement was no worse than incitement against Palestinians on mainstream Israeli websites, ACRI argued.

ACRI filed a request on Thursday that the court issue a temporary order barring the government from deciding to shut down Al Jazeera until the case is heard. The court denied the request, and said it would consider a temporary order after receiving the state's preliminary position.

 

Saudi foreign minister calls for reforming OIC

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's call for restructuring, developing, and reforming the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to tackle regional and international challenges.

He called for accelerating joint Islamic action with bold political will to reform the organization and position it as a leading intergovernmental entity, second only to the UN.

Representing Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Prince Faisal led the Saudi delegation at the 15th Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, Gambia, under the theme: "Promoting Unity and Solidarity Through Dialogue for Sustainable Development."

He expressed regret over the failure of the UN Security Council and the international community to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

"The Palestinian cause has remained a priority for the OIC since its inception," Prince Faisal stated.

The OIC has consistently been the voice and conscience of the Islamic nation, advocating for the Palestinian people and striving to end the injustice they face.

He reiterated the Kingdom's call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, safe humanitarian corridors, and the fulfillment of Palestinians' legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and an independent state.

“It is unfortunate to witness the failure of the Security Council and the international community to halt unprecedented Israeli attacks, which have escalated through indiscriminate shelling, destruction of hospitals, schools, shelters, and infrastructure in Gaza, leaving thousands of innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, as victims,” Prince Faisal said.

Saudi Arabia has tirelessly worked, in collaboration with other nations, to protect civilians and provide relief in Palestine, he emphasized.

Prince Faisal highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts during its previous OIC presidency to strengthen Islamic cooperation, unite positions, and respond positively to common threats.

The Kingdom has taken a strong stance against provocative acts towards Islamic symbols, desecration of the Qur’an, acts of hatred, racism, and Islamophobia.

Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to unite Muslims and strengthen the OIC’s role in conflict resolution, regional and global security, he added.

On Yemen, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of supporting peace efforts for a comprehensive political solution to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and to support their economic and developmental aspirations.

He also emphasized the importance of Syria's stability, unity, and security, and efforts to combat terrorism, armed militias, and drug smuggling, creating a safe environment for Syrian refugees' return.

Regarding Sudan, the minister underscored the importance of Sudan’s unity and sovereignty, as well as the need to preserve state institutions to protect the country's resources and avoid a dark future.

He also highlighted Libya’s right to elect a unified national government that enjoys local and international legitimacy, ensures security and stability, combats lawlessness and terrorism, and removes militias and mercenaries, allowing Libya to regain its influential role in the Arab and Islamic region.

Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s consistent stance on Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional safety in accordance with international law.

He expressed hope that the UN Security Council's decision to lift the arms embargo on Somalia would contribute to peace, stability, and security in the country.

Indian spice manufacturers under scrutiny

Two of India's packaged spice manufacturers are under regulatory scrutiny in several countries after their products were allegedly found to contain carcinogenic elements, barely a year after cough syrups made in the South Asian nation were linked to the deaths of over 140 children in Africa.

Countries like Australia, New Zealand and the United States are weighing investigations into the packaged spices made by the companies after Hong Kong authorities raised a red flag over their quality.

This isn’t the first time that the two — among the largest companies in India — have faced these kinds of issues, with the US Food and Drug Administration ordering a recall of Everest spice mixes in 2023 and some MDH products in 2019, both due to salmonella contamination.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong said in a statement on April 05, 2024 that it found ethylene oxide (ETO), a pesticide that can cause cancer if consumed in large amounts, in three types of packaged spices manufactured by MDH and one made by Everest. The products were taken off the shelves and recalled, the CFS said.

Taking its cue from the Hong Kong authorities, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) a couple of weeks later recalled the Everest Fish Curry Masala product, saying in a statement that consumers who had purchased it were advised not to consume it.

The SFA also said, “As the implicated products in Hong Kong were imported into Singapore, the SFA has directed the importer to recall the products.” The agency clarified that although there is no immediate risk to consumption of food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, long-term exposure may lead to health issues.

India’s Spice Board, a government agency that oversees spice exports, said that the limit for ETO varies between countries, from 0.02 milligram per kilogram of spices in places like the UK and Norway to 7 milligram per kilogram in Canada and the US.

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture in India, often leaving traces in food products. According to Indian government estimates, the cultivated area where chemical pesticide is used grew 33.4% from the fiscal year ending March 2019 to fiscal 2023, reaching 108,216 hectares. That was about seven times the area cultivated with biopesticides in 2023.

“We tend to look critically at the end product, but even more rigor is needed at the level of the ingredients,” said Devangshu Dutta, CEO at consultancy firm Third Eyesight, referring to the use of pesticides in cultivation. “Otherwise, we will end up kind of catching the product at the last point of control, which is not enough.”

Hong Kong and Singapore did not disclose the amount of ETO content in the recalled products. MDH and Everest had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.

Authorities elsewhere have also taken note of the allegations. “Food Standards Australia New Zealand is working with our international counterparts to understand the issue with federal, state and territory food enforcement agencies to determine if further action is required in Australia, e.g., a food recall,” the agency told Nikkei Asia in an email statement on Wednesday.

The regulatory scrutiny in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore, raises questions over an export market worth about US$700 million, research firm Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said in a report on Wednesday.

“Swift investigations and the publication of findings are essential to re-establish global trust in Indian spices,” GTRI said, adding that the “lack of clear communication from government agencies is disappointing.”

Indian food has been under scrutiny in Europe as well. The European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed estimates that since the beginning of 2023, Indian food products were deemed to pose serious risks in 166 instances. These included nine cases of ethylene oxide found in food supplements and spices in countries including Sweden, Greece and Italy.

The recalls come at a time when New Delhi is rolling out incentives to support local manufacturers and exporters in transforming India into a US$5 trillion economy. India is the world’s largest exporter of spices with shipments worth US$3.9 billion in 2023, followed by Vietnam and Mexico, according to data provider Tendata. Those figures give India a market share of 37.2%, with Vietnam at 28.1% and Mexico at 9.6%.

Poor food quality in India stems from a general lack of awareness about food safety and insufficient resources to track ingredients, among other reasons, said US-based food and beverage consultancy AIB International in a report in October.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India found 16,582 samples unsafe in the fiscal year 2022, the latest such data available. That was a threefold jump from the previous year.

“Most of the food and beverage manufacturers in India are focused on reducing costs to make their product affordable to the public,” the report said. “As a result, many cannot prioritize food safety as a pillar of their business because it could prevent them from meeting their profit margins.”

“Food manufacturing and processing facilities can lack the resources to maintain proper hygiene,” it noted, adding that food-borne illnesses in India is estimated to top 100 million every year.

Iran-Kuwait Arash gas field dispute

Lately, the spokesperson for Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani addressed Kuwait's repeated claims regarding Arash gas field. He emphasized Iran's historical rights to the area and invited Kuwait to engage in constructive dialogue for a mutually beneficial agreement.

This response came after Kuwait and Jordan issued a joint statement following a meeting between their leaders, emphasizing that the gas field, known as Durra, is located within Kuwait's territorial waters, with all its resources belonging to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Kanaani expressed regret over Kuwait's persistent unilateral claims regarding the Arash gas field. He highlighted Iran's stance on the matter, citing historical rights and past negotiation records.

Iran extended an invitation to Kuwait to engage in discussions aimed at reaching a sustainable agreement grounded in friendly cooperation and shared interests.

Additionally, the Ministry's spokesperson cautioned against the issuance of repetitive statements and unilateral claims, emphasizing that such actions carry no legal weight and hinder progress towards resolution.

Kanaani reiterated Iran's commitment to monitoring regional interactions with a principle of good faith. He urged third-party governments to prioritize trust-building measures and enhance relations and cooperation in addressing disputes like the Arash gas field matter.

"We recommend the authorities of this country to refrain from resorting to fruitless political and media methods regarding the issue of Arash gas field,” he noted.

In the backdrop of regional tensions, the offshore gas field in the Persian Gulf has become a longstanding point of contention between Iran and Kuwait, both asserting ownership of this source. Last March, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to jointly develop the Durra field, known as Arash in Iran. Iran promptly objected, deeming it "illegal" and asserting plans for independent development.

The gas field, discovered in 1967 on the eastern maritime border of Kuwait, remains a source of dispute as Iran claims the field extends into its waters. Estimates suggest over 70% of the resources of the disputed gas field lie in waters claimed by Iran.

Despite years of diplomatic talks, Iran and Kuwait have not reached an agreement on their disputed maritime border area, which is rich in natural gas. The prolonged negotiations have yet to yield a resolution, highlighting the complexities surrounding this strategically significant region.

 

 

MENA: New proxy war ground for US and China

Tensions between the United States and China are expanding beyond the Asia-Pacific region. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is likely to be one of many venues in what might be a new Cold War between Washington and Beijing.

We can imagine how Washington and Beijing’s respective global outlooks and ability to project (soft and hard) power could affect their future relations with the MENA region.

How MENA countries deal with each other and the role they play in the emerging global energy and economy transitions could influence how the two superpowers engage with the region in ways as interesting and important as what the superpowers are able to do themselves. On the MENA side of the equation, two critical dimensions are likely to shape their role in the future US-China competition in the region:

Intraregional politics

The first is how regional countries relate to each other with functional and practical economic and political integration, or sustained dysfunction and instability. Prior to the current war in Gaza, there was a trend toward de-escalation, stabilization, and integration.

Whenever that momentum might be regained, under the “functional and practical” route, we could imagine MENA nations looking in new ways at the lessons of pan-regional intergovernmental organizations.

The region could explore policies and mechanisms that emulate the practical benefits afforded to member states of other regional blocs like the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Such ideas could first lower trade barriers, then foster closer economic and commercial ties across the region.

Similarly, the thinking behind the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe could influence MENA governments’ approach to their citizens’ human rights and each other’s domestic affairs.

The functional and practical path would represent a MENA equipped with deliberative, consultative decision-making processes to act with agency, putting its own interests before the dictates of the US-Chinese competition.

The alternative path is easy to define, MENA governments continue to support various armed groups in proxy wars, and use that environment to ignore human rights, enabling outside players to exploit that dysfunction.

Levers of the future economy

The fossil fuel resources of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates ‑ energy-rich club might soon include Egypt and Israel ‑ are likely to remain MENA’s main sources of leverage vis-à-vis Washington and Beijing — at least for the next couple of decades. Given the desire of two superpowers to secure the region’s oil and gas for themselves and their allies, or deny them to adversaries, US and Chinese companies will remain powerhouses in regional markets.

MENA is poised to influence the future global stage, and gain agency in the US-China competition over the region, by leveraging its energy and financial power in different ways in the future.

As the world turns to renewable energy, the region’s petrostates are simultaneously ramping up economic diversification into tech sectors, while also leveraging their wealth to finance climate-friendly energy projects and other green economy endeavors in their neighborhood and around the world.

The new frontier for the region’s resource- and capital-rich countries will be fostering innovation and science/technology/ideas hubs for the post-carbon economy that humanity intends to build in the 21st century.

Beside eventually waning hydrocarbons and ascending green energy, new logistical/transportation/energy networks have proliferated in the region and are likely to further increase its geopolitical and commercial significance.

Be it through long-established routes, such as the Suez Canal, or new and proposed ones, such as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, India-Middle East Corridor, and the Turkish-Iraqi-Emirati-Qatari Development Road, MENA is going to be sitting at the center of global trade networks. Many of the region’s seaports and airports will also play an expanded role in international affairs.

United States suspends work on Gaza pier

The US military said on Friday it has temporarily paused the offshore construction of a maritime pier because of weather conditions and instead would continue building it at the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The maritime pier, once built, will be placed off the coast of Gaza in a bid to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

"Forecasted high winds and high sea swells caused unsafe conditions for soldiers working on the surface of the partially constructed pier," the US military said in a statement.

"The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue," it added.

Earlier this week, the Pentagon said about 50% of the pier had been constructed.

Israel has sought to demonstrate it is not blocking aid to Gaza, especially since President Joe Biden issued a stark warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Washington’s policy could shift if Israel fails to take steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

US. officials and aid groups say some progress has been made but warn it is insufficient, amid stark warnings of imminent famine among Gaza's 2.3 million people.