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Spain Condemns Israel’s New Death Penalty Law as Discriminatory Shift

                   Palestinians hold placards as they take part in a protest, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has sharply criticized Israel’s newly approved death penalty law, calling it “another step towards apartheid” due to its unequal application to Palestinians convicted in military courts.  The Israeli Knesset passed the legislation mandating death by hanging as the default sentence for Palestinians found guilty of deadly attacks. Critics argue that the law’s language effectively excludes most Israeli citizens—particularly Jewish Israelis—from facing the same punishment, despite identical offenses. Sánchez emphasized the asymmetry, stating that “same crime, different punishment” undermines justice and deepens systemic inequality. His remarks come amid an already tense diplomatic rift between Spain and Israel, intensified by Spain’s condemnation of Israeli actions du...

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Global Powers Rally for Lebanon: Aid and Ceasefire Amidst Crisis

 

In a bid to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, world powers convened in Paris to push for urgent aid and a ceasefire. The conference, attended by 70 government delegations and 15 international organizations, aimed to raise at least 500 million euros in humanitarian aid and support Lebanon’s security forces.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized the dire situation, stating, "The storm we are currently witnessing is unlike any other, because it carries the seeds of total destruction, not only for our country, but for all human values as well". The conflict, primarily between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and displaced at least 1.2 million people.

Despite the significant turnout, expectations for concrete progress were low. The U.S., focused on its own diplomatic efforts, sent a low-level delegation, and key regional players like Saudi Arabia were represented by junior ministers. France, leveraging its historical ties with Lebanon, pledged 100 million euros in aid, while Germany committed 96 million euros.

The conference underscored the need to implement the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, which calls for southern Lebanon to be free of any troops or weapons other than those of the Lebanese state. However, with ongoing hostilities and a complex geopolitical landscape, achieving a lasting ceasefire remains a formidable challenge.


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