UN adds Israel to the blacklist of countries and organizations that harm children in conflict zones
NY June 07, 2024(QJ)-The United Nations has decided to add Israel to the blacklist of countries and organizations that harm children in conflict zones.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed Israel’s military envoy in Washington, Maj. General Hedi Silberman, about the decision, as announced today.
Guterres reportedly stated that Israel would be added to the blacklist alongside Russia and terrorist organizations such as ISIS/Daesh, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram.
Despite Israel’s efforts to persuade Guterres to reconsider, the decision stands, and Israel is expected to appear on the blacklist set to be published next week.
While the list may not explicitly name Israel, the responsible party is expected to be identified as “Israeli security forces.”
Israel has continued its relentless assault on Gaza since October 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The eight-month-long conflict has resulted in extensive destruction across Gaza, severely hindering efforts to deliver food, clean water, and medical supplies to the region.
More than 36,700 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since early October, including 15,571 children, according to the Gaza government media office
The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of committing genocide and, in its latest ruling, ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians have sought refuge.
-Ethiopian State Minister of Industry Mr. Tarekegn Bululta has described his government’s decision to recognize Somaliland as correct, enabling Ethiopia to gain access to the sea. In a statement on his X account, Mr. Bululta expressed that Ethiopia’s longstanding dream of securing a maritime outlet has become a reality.
The State Minister also emphasized that the decision by the Addis Ababa administration to recognize the Somaliland administration is appropriate and commended the prior agreement reached between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reached a memorandum of understanding with the President of Somaliland, through which Ethiopia aims to obtain access to a Somali-owned maritime route while in return offering recognition to the Somaliland administration.
The Somali government has strongly opposed Ethiopia’s ambitions to access parts of Somalia’s territorial waters and has taken firm steps to reject Ethiopia’s aspirations.