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.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.