“Your hands are stained with blood,” the Turkish president told his US counterpart. Violent hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip escalated for the second week in a row, with hundreds killed on both sides.
Initiatives to escalate tensions in the Middle East continue, but the Gaza Strip is currently on fire. Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a fierce attack on Joe Biden and he has their reasons . Earlier, it was reported that a $ 735 million deal had been approved for the sale of guided weapons systems to Israel. This means that it gave the “green” light for the JDAM bombs, despite the bloody clashes with more than 200 dead, among which are many children .
More specifically, the international voices for de-escalation are becoming louder. Only on Monday (17/05), for the third time in a week, did the United States oppose the adoption of a UN Security Council statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which called for an “end to violence” and the protection of civilians, especially children, “said diplomats.
The text, drafted by China, Tunisia and Norway, was submitted to 15 members of the Security Council last night for approval today. The United States has said it “cannot support a Security Council statement at this time,” a diplomat told AFP.
The draft, which was passed to AFP, expressed the Council’s “deep concern” in the face of the crisis and condemned the “possible expulsion” of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem, calling for “unilateral action” to be avoided. .
The statement also welcomed the international another peacefully “, at” recognized and secure borders “.
Over the course of a week, the Security Council has held three extraordinary meetings focusing on the conflict, most recently on Sunday, without being able to reach a common position. According to Al Jazeera, about 200 Palestinians, including 58 children, have been killed in a week of Israeli airstrikes.
The UN General Assembly will meet next Thursday to discuss the escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, said General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, as the region’s deadliest hostilities enter its second week in years.
Niger and Algeria, which chair the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League at the United Nations in New York have called on the 193-member General Assembly to meet in public “in the light of the seriousness of the situation and the rapid deterioration.” The 15-member UN Security Council met yesterday, Sunday, for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians.
$ 735 million deal approved for sale of guided weapons systems in Israel – “Green light” for JDAM bombs, despite bloody clashes
The administration of US President Joe Biden has approved the possible sale of $ 735 million worth of surface-to-air weapons to Israel, and parliamentary sources say Congress is not expected to oppose the deal, despite clashes between Israel and the Palestinians.
Three US lawmakers said Congress had been formally informed of the intention to sell the weapons on May 5, as is customary before final approval of such agreements. The sale was first revealed by the Washington Post.
Congress has been aware of the planned sale since April and was officially notified on May 5. Under US law, a 15-day period begins after the official announcement, during which Congress has the right to oppose the sale, which is not expected to happen in this case.
The sale of Boeing Co JDAM bombs was considered routine at the time, before the worst clashes in recent years in the Middle East began last week. Democrats and Republicans in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which is considering such agreements, have not objected.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) system converts unguided bombs into all-weather directed bombs thanks to GPS satellite positioning systems.
A State Department spokesman, who was asked to comment, said federal law did not allow him to comment on or confirm details of agreements such as those concerning JDAM systems. “We remain deeply concerned about the violence and are working to achieve lasting peace,” he added.
Erdogan’s rage against Biden against the backdrop of the Gaza Strip: “You stained your hands with blood”
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused his US counterpart Joe Biden that “have their hands stained with blood,” with its support for Israel as the Jewish state continues its fierce bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
“You are writing history with blood-stained hands,” Erdogan told the White House resident, criticizing the US government in particular for approving the sale of new weapons systems to Israel “which launches disproportionate attacks on the Gaza Strip.” He also called Israel a “killer” of Palestinians of all ages.
UAE Supports US to End Violence – Initiatives to De-escalate Tensions
The UAE Secretary of State discussed with his US counterpart Anthony Blinken “ways to reduce tensions and step up international efforts to end the violence in Israel and Palestine,” the state news agency reported. today.
Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said the UAE “supports the efforts of the United States and its envoy to the Middle East, Khandi Amr, to de-escalate the situation, reduce tensions and end the violence,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart and Egyptian government officials about the situation in the Middle East.
“The United States is conducting a quiet, intensive diplomatic effort that will continue,” Sullivan wrote in a Twitter post.
Security Council: Third refusal by US to issue joint statement on Middle East
The United States has opposed the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling for an “end to violence” and “the protection of civilians, especially children,” for the third time in a week. with diplomats.
The text, drafted by China, Tunisia and Norway, was submitted to 15 members of the Security Council last night for approval today. The United States has said it “cannot support a Security Council statement at this time,” a diplomat told AFP.
The draft, which was passed to AFP, expressed the Council’s “deep concern” in the face of the crisis and condemned the “possible expulsion” of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem, calling for “unilateral action” to be avoided. .
The statement also welcomed the international another peacefully “, at” recognized and secure borders “.
Over the course of a week, the Security Council has held three extraordinary meetings focusing on the conflict, most recently on Sunday, without being able to reach a common position.
US: Sanctions on three individuals and a company based in Turkey for collaborating with ISIS
The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against three individuals and a company based in Turkey, as it says they had significant financial transactions with the Islamic State (ISIS). The US authorities believe that these individuals and the company played a key role in linking ISIS to a network of international donors. They note that these facilities have allowed the terrorist organization to gain access to the financial system of the Middle East.
Commenting on the development, the director of the US Treasury Department’s Office of External Assets, Andrea Gaki, stressed that the US government will continue to work to prevent the re-emergence of ISIS and to destroy its funding networks.
Sanctions Against Natural Persons
Alaa Khanfurah on charges of providing substantial financial, material and technological assistance to ISIS during 2019 and 2020. In particular, the US Treasury Department claims that Khanfurah’s financial services company, which is based in Turkey, transferred money to ISIS members throughout Syria. In fact, Khanfurah is believed to have served as a key mediator in facilitating the transfer of money between senior ISIS leaders in 2017-2019.
Ibrahim Ali Awad al-Fay for owning the Turkish-based Al-Fay company, which is accused of providing substantial assistance to ISIS.
Idris al-Fay, who is being held in custody in Iraq, is accused of using Al-Fay to facilitate the global distribution of funds on behalf of ISIS. The US Treasury Department estimates that Idris al-Fay used the company to mediate between foreign financiers and ISIS.
To Al-Fay, a company based in Turkey, for providing financial, material and technological support to ISIS.
