Shalom and good evening, this is TV7 Israel
News broadcast to you from Jerusalem.
And in today’s top stories:
At a meeting of the UN Security Council, the
world body’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres
referred to Israel’s aspiration to assert
its sovereignty over the West Bank “a threat”
that would “would constitute a most serious
violation of international law.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stressed
Tehran’s will to negotiate with Washington,
if the latter would apologize to the Iranian
nation, compensate for the damages, reinstate
the 2015 nuclear agreement with the Islamic
Republic.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah is impeding on efforts
of the Beirut government to bring about much
needed reform, further distancing the country
from prospects of an international economic
bailout.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres
referred to Israel’s aspiration to assert
its sovereignty over parts of the disputed
territories on the West Bank of the Jordan
Valley “a threat” that would “would
constitute a most serious violation of international
law.”
Speaking at a tele-conference of the United
Nations Security Council, the world body’s
chief further called upon Jerusalem to abandon
its referred-to plans.
“Israel's threat to annex parts of the occupied
West Bank has alarmed Palestinians, many Israelis
and the broader international community.
If implemented, annexation would constitute
a most serious violation of international
law, grievously harm the prospect of a Two
State solution and undercut the possibilities
of a renewal of negotiations.
I call on the Israeli Government to abandon
its annexation plans."
The voiced position of the Secretary General
projected the widespread sentiments of the
majority of state representatives attending
the discussion.
Nevertheless, among the few nations holding
an alternate position, U.S. Ambassador to
the U.N. Kelly Craft urged the council to
self-reflect on ‘whether doing the same
thing over and over against and expecting
a different result’ was the right course
of action vis-à-vis the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
“I understand that many of you have concerns
with this issue of the potential extension
of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.
At the same time, we ask that you also hold
the Palestinian leadership accountable for
acts they are responsible for.
It does not help anyone to only look backwards
and point to what could have been.
The Palestinian leadership has a responsibility
to pursue the prosperity of their people.
At the end of the day, is reverting to old
talking points the best we can do as an international
community?”
Representing the Palestinians, Foreign Minister
Riyad al-Malki was quick to dismiss the Americans
as biased, while urging the world to reject
– what he referred to as - Israel’s “colonial
appetite.”
“Israel is testing the resolve of the international
community, thinking its colonial appetite
will prevail over the collective international
will to advance regional peace and security,
and to preserve the rule-based multilateral
order.
We must prove it wrong.”
In response to the repeated condemnations
and warnings voiced over prospects of so-called
“prospects of annexation,” the Israeli
Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon lambasted
the Palestinian narrative which claims historic
ownership over the West Bank.
“Let’s be honest.
Let's be clear.
The PLO is not and never was a state and has
never been the sovereign over this territory.
Never.
Prove me wrong with that.”
Danon went on to highlight the Jewish connection
to the so-called West Bank, which includes
the Biblical Districts of Judea and Samaria.
“There is a strong and undeniable connection
between the Jewish people and their historic
homeland of Judea and Samaria.
This has been true for over three millennia
and no Palestinian propaganda can change that."
Turning no to the Islamic Republic of Iran,
where
President Hassan Rouhani told his cabinet
ministers Tehran remains willing to negotiate
with Washington, if the latter would apologize
to the Iranian nation, compensate for the
damages, reinstate the 2015 nuclear agreement
with the Islamic Republic.
"This is simple, apologize to the Iranian
nation, compensate for the damages, return
to the regulations and return to the P5 +
1 (The UN Security Council's five permanent
members plus Germany) framework can still
be the solution."
"We are awaiting anything.
Every time the United States announces that
it will comply with the U.N. regulations,
it will fulfil its commitment in JCPOA, and
the Congress and the White House will return
from their wrong path, and whenever they return
to P5+1 we are ready to negotiate at that
moment."
The Iranian President went on to respond to
a resolution that was adopted by the International
Atomic Energy Agency, which called upon Iran
to fully cooperate with the nuclear watchdog.
The resolution came after Tehran refused IAEA
requests to inspect two Iranian sites suspected
of undeclared nuclear activities.
Instead of responding to the international
call for Iran to accept inspections of the
suspected sites, the Iranian leader insisted
that the IAEA were subject to the deception
of the United States and Israel.
"They (U.S. and Israel) are deceiving the
IAEA and deviating from its right path.
Of course, whenever we want we are easily
able to respond to their actions.
The basis of Iran's work is cooperation with
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
We will maintain our cooperation with IAEA."
Meanwhile in Washington,
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated
the Trump Administration’s policy which
remained consistent all along.
Once Iran starts “to behave like a normal
nation” the United States “happy to engage
in conversations.”
Nevertheless, the American top diplomat stressed
that the Iranians cannot expect to exploit
the United States as it managed to do with
the previous administration.
“The United States has been clear about
our expectations.
We’ve been clear about our goals.
We ask the Islamic Republic of Iran to behave
like a normal nation.
We’re happy to engage in conversations with
them when the time is right, but the conditions
that suggest somehow we give a bunch of money
to the Iranians so they can foment terror
around the world is simply ludicrous.
It’s just not how this administration behaves.”
Secretary Pompeo went on to address Iran’s
refusal to cooperate with the International
Atomic Energy Agency.
Turning to the unrest in Israel’s northern
neighbor, Lebanon in light of a profound economic
crisis; the Top American Diplomat emphasized
that Washington would only opt to assist Beirut
Authorities, if they would initiate real reforms
and operate in a way that is not beholden
to the Iranian-proxy Hezbollah, which is internationally
listed as a terror organization.
“Our policy is very clear.
We are fully prepared to support a government
that conducts real reforms and operates in
a way that is not beholden to Hezbollah.
When that comes, when the government demonstrates
– whoever that is – demonstrates their
willingness and capacity to do that, I think
not only the United States but the whole world
will move in to assist the Lebanese government,
get its economy back on its feet.
We’re prepared to do that; it’s the right
thing for the Lebanese people.
It’s what the protests that are taking place,
not only in Beirut but all-around Lebanon,
are asking for: real reform, real change,
a fundamental shift away from Hezbollah as
the governing power inside of Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s deep-rooted economic crisis has
seemingly deteriorated in recent months.
The Lebanese pound has lost some 70% of its
value since October.
And while a technocratic government was appointed
after years of political stability; the then-emerging
corona pandemic consequently deepened the
public’s distress – reigniting public
protests that quickly exacerbated into violent
riots.
And while Beirut Authorities remain adamant
at negotiating foreign bailout with the International
Monetary Fund.
“We are not yet at a stage to discuss specific
measures under a possible Fund program to
support Lebanon.
The discussions remain focused on the government’s
plan, I have said that here before, the government’s
diagnostic and the reforms proposed.
Again, these are complex issues, which require
consensus on how to address the difficult
challenges in an effective and equitable manner.
Comprehensive reforms in many areas are needed
and these require ownership and consensus
from society at large.”
In addition to international reluctance to
assist Lebanon financially over the Hezbollah’s
influence over Beirut; the Iranian proxy is
making it near-impossible to implement demanded-reform,
as it evidently struggles financially due
to international economic sanctions against
its patrons in Tehran.
In a televised address, Hezbollah Secretary
General Hassan Nasrallah sought to dissuade
any reliance on international support.
"We, the Lebanese people cannot go on like
that, to sit and wait for the Americans.
There are talks with the IMF but I don't know
how long they will take, a month or two, there
is talk that it could go as long as a year,
can the country bear a year?"
And while the Hezbollah leader did not manage
to provide a solution for Lebanon’s economic
woes; he sought to alleviate neighboring Syria
over the growing economic pressure, after
the European Union and United States ratcheted
up pressure on the Assad regime in Damascus.
"Today I would like to confirm to the people
of Syria and to those interested, in Lebanon
and the region, about the fate of Syria.
Syria's allies, those who stood by her in
the military, security and political wars,
and even in difficult conditions, won't abandon
Syria in confronting the economic war."
Thank you for watching us. as part of TV7’s
global prayer initiative I would like to encourage
you today to join myself and the team here
in Jerusalem to pray for the salvation and
peace of Bolivia, alongside our ongoing prayers
for the peace of Jerusalem, salvation of Israel,
as well as for all those who are impacted
by the corona contagion world-wide.
I am Jonathan Hessen, have an Erev Tov and
we will see you again tomorrow at the same
time.
