Palestinians Demand Cutting Ties with Kosovo

First ambassador of Kosovo to Israel at the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem in mid-March (AFP)
First ambassador of Kosovo to Israel at the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem in mid-March (AFP)
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Palestinians Demand Cutting Ties with Kosovo

First ambassador of Kosovo to Israel at the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem in mid-March (AFP)
First ambassador of Kosovo to Israel at the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem in mid-March (AFP)

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MOFAE) called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to cut ties with Kosovo, in the wake of inaugurating Kosovo’s embassy in Jerusalem.

This request was made in a letter from Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki to Secretary-General of the OIC Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen.

On behalf of Palestine, Malki called on Othaimeen to demand that the OIC members cut ties with Kosovo, in implementation to the organization’s policy towards countries that violate international law, Islamic summits’ decisions, and the international legitimacy resolutions.

The MOFAE said that this move is “a blatant attack on Palestinian people, their rights and a flagrant violation of international law.”

The Republic of Kosovo announced the opening of its embassy in Jerusalem last month.

Therefore, Kosovo joined the US and Guatemala as the sole countries to open embassies in the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Kosovo, the Muslim majority country, vowed to open its embassy in Jerusalem, after establishing diplomatic ties with Israel last year under the US brokerage.



Hezbollah ‘Can’t Be Allowed to Keep Lebanon Captive,’ Says US as it Slaps it with New Sanctions

Emergency responders secure the site of an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
Emergency responders secure the site of an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
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Hezbollah ‘Can’t Be Allowed to Keep Lebanon Captive,’ Says US as it Slaps it with New Sanctions

Emergency responders secure the site of an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on March 28, 2025. (AFP)
Emergency responders secure the site of an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on March 28, 2025. (AFP)

The United States issued on Friday fresh sanctions designating a Lebanon-based sanctions evasion network that supports Hezbollah’s finance team, which oversees commercial projects and oil smuggling networks that generate revenue for Hezbollah.

Such evasion networks bolster Iran and Hezbollah, undermining Lebanon, said the State Department. “As part of today’s action, the United States is designating five individuals and three associated companies, including family members and close associates of prominent Hezbollah officials.”

“This action supports the whole-of-government policy of maximum pressure on Iran and its terrorist proxies, like Hezbollah,” it added.

“The United States is committed to supporting Lebanon by exposing and disrupting funding schemes for Hezbollah’s terrorist activities and Iran’s destabilizing influence in the region,” it said.

“Hezbollah cannot be allowed to keep Lebanon captive. The United States will continue using tools at its disposal until this terrorist group no longer threatens the Lebanese people,” it vowed.