Israel must allow ‘quantum leap’ in aid delivery UN chief urges, calling for change in military tactics

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Category: World Hot News

Published: Sunday, 07 April 2024 08:29

Written by Gentry

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefs the media outside the Security Council on the situation in Gaza.

Israel must make meaningful changes in the way it is fighting in Gaza to avoid civilian casualties while also undergoing “a true paradigm shift” in lifesaving aid delivery, the UN chief said on Friday. 

Marking six months of war since the “ab

horrent” Hamas-led terror attacks of 7 October, António Guterres told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York that nothing could justify the horror unleashed by Palestinian militants that day. 

“I once again utterly condemn the use of sexual violence, torture injuring and kidnapping of civilians, the firing of rockets towards civilian targets and the use of human shields”, he said, calling again for the unconditional release of all hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. 

Having met many of the family members of those held captive “I carry their anguish, uncertainty and deep pain with me every day”, added Mr. Guterres. 

‘Relentless death’ 

But the past six months of Israel’s military campaign has also brought “relentless death and destruction to Palestinians”, with over 32,000 reported killed, the vast majority women and children. 

“Lives are shattered. Respect for international law is in tatters”, he said. 

The resulting humanitarian disaster is unprecedented, with more than a million “facing catastrophic hunger.” 

Children are dying due to lack of food and water: “This is incomprehensible and entirely avoidable”, the UN chief declared, repeating that nothing can justify such collective punishment. 

Weaponized AI 

Mr. Guterres said he was deeply troubled by reports that the Israeli military has been using AI to help identify targets during its relentless bombing of densely populated areas of Gaza. 

“No part of life and death decisions which impact entire families should be delegated to the cold calculation of algorithms”, he said. 

AI should only be used as a force for good, not to wage war “on an industrial level, blurring accountability.” 

UNRWA/Shafiq Fahed UNRWA staff in Amman, Jordan, attend a ceremony to remember colleagues who have lost their lives in Gaza.

Humanitarian deaths 

Branding the war “the deadliest of conflicts”, he highlighted that 196 humanitarians including over 175 UN staffers have been killed, the vast majority serving with Palestine relief agency UNRWA. 

“An information war has added to the trauma – obscuring facts and shifting blame”, said the UN chief, compounded by Israel denying journalists entry into Gaza, consequently allowing disinformation to spread. 

Tactics must change 

And following the appalling killing of the seven staffers with World Central Kitchen, the main problem is not who made the mistakes but “the military strategy and procedures in place that allow for those mistakes to multiply time and time again”, the Secretary-General said. 

“Fixing those failures requires independent investigations and meaningful and measurable changes on the ground.” 

He said the UN had been told by the Israeli Government that it was now planning to allow a “meaningful increase” in the flow of aid to Gaza. The UN chief said he sincerely hoped the increase in aid would materialize quickly. 

‘Failure would be unforgivable’ 

“Dramatic humanitarian conditions require a quantum leap in the delivery of life-saving aid – a true paradigm shift.” 

He noted last week’s Security Council resolution calling for hostages releases, civilian protection and unimpeded aid delivery.  

“All those demands must be implemented. Failure would unforgivable”, he said. 

Six months on, the world stands on the brink of mass starvation in Gaza, a regional conflagration and a “total loss of faith in global standards and norms.”

© UNRWA/Ashraf Amra A boy runs through the destroyed streets of Gaza.

Unprecedented violations: UN rights office 

The violations committed since 7 October in Israel and Gaza, as well as the destruction and suffering of civilians in the enclave are unprecedented, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, warning that the risk of further atrocity crimes is high. 

OHCHR upheld the need to ensure aid delivery and the protection of humanitarian workers, noting that attacks against them may amount to war crimes. 

The Israeli airstrikes that killed the World Central Kitchen personnel underline the horrific conditions under which humanitarians are operating in Gaza, said Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva. 

“Israel has also killed law enforcement officials and others involved in securing humanitarian aid delivery, directly contributing to the breakdown of civil order and putting humanitarian workers and those in need of aid in further danger,” he added. 

Following the attacks, World Central Kitchen and other NGOs suspended aid delivery and distributions in Gaza, “increasing the already real risk of more deaths from famine and disease at larger scale.” 

War crimes warning 

Mr. Laurence recalled that international law requires all warring parties to respect and protect humanitarian personnel and ensure their safety, security, and freedom of movement. 

As the occupying power, Israel has the additional obligation to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the basic needs of Gaza’s population are met. This means the authorities must either ensure that people can access food and medical care or facilitate the work of humanitarians delivering this assistance.  

“Attacking people or objects involved in humanitarian assistance may amount to a war crime,” he said. 

He pointed out that UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk has repeatedly stated that impunity must end. 

Celebrity Media Peace TV "Let Peace Prevail" resonates globally from the UN headquarters

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Category: World Hot News

Published: Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:35

Written by Gentry

Celebrity media special coverage The event of The Korea Society： US Dollar’s Impact on Global Order

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Category: World Hot News

Published: Wednesday, 03 April 2024 08:32

Written by Gentry

Celebrity Media Editor's Note: Yesterday, at an event co-hosted by the Korea Society and the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, industry experts and thought leaders gathered to discuss the complex dynamics of the dollar's impact on the global order. Attendees participated in a discussion and explanation by Celia Mosen about her work, "Paper Soldiers - How the Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order." Tom, the President and CEO of the Korea Society, emphasized that their mission is to deepen the ties between Korea and the United States, laying the foundation for cross-border dialogue on the nuances of economic and political differences.

The dialogue also touched upon the challenges faced by the US economy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of domestic policies and global economic structures. The event facilitated a robust discussion on the resilience of the dollar amidst geopolitical shifts and financial uncertainties, offering a platform for attendees to engage with the economic narratives shaping our world.

The insightful conversation underscored the importance of understanding the dollar's weaponization and its broader implications. It highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to navigate the evolving global landscape and to consider the future of economic strategies in shaping a balanced global order.

Main Speaker: Celia Mosen, Senior Washington Correspondent, Bloomberg News

Celia Mosen delved into the strategic use of the U.S. dollar by the Treasury to assert global dominance and the implications of this strategy on international relations and economic stability. She discussed the nuanced aspects of economic sanctions, the resilience and challenges of the U.S. economy, and how American allies perceive the dollar's role in the global financial system. Mosen provided insights into the interconnectedness of domestic policies with the global economic order, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the dollar's weaponization and its global repercussions.

Tom outlined the organization's diverse programming across arts, culture, education, business, and policy, highlighting their collaboration with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy on multifaceted discussions about the US-Korea alliance and broader international relations. He set the stage for an engaging conversation about the US's strategic use of the dollar and its implications on global supremacy and democratic values.

Tom introduced the event, emphasizing the organization's mission to enhance cooperation and understanding between Korea and the United States. He highlighted the organization's multifaceted approach, encompassing arts, culture, education, business, and policy, and its collaboration with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. Tom set the context for the discussion by touching on the themes of Celia Mosen's book, "Paper Soldiers," particularly focusing on the U.S. Treasury's use of a strong dollar policy as a tool of economic and democratic influence, despite the ongoing challenges of maintaining the dollar's primacy in international trade and the U.S.'s eroding credit quality.

Susan Elliott, President and CEO of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, thanked everyone for attending both in-person and virtually. She emphasized the value of personal interactions, especially in the context of the event's topic. She introduced the National Committee on American Foreign Policy as a non-profit, nonpartisan organization focused on informal diplomatic dialogues, also known as track two discussions. The organization hosts dialogues among parties in conflict from different countries, focusing on critical regions like the Republic of Korea and Japan and issues concerning North Korea.

Susan highlighted the committee's efforts in hosting roundtable discussions for members and experts and its emerging leaders program, which includes next-generation scholars with a focus on the Korean Peninsula. She stressed the close bond and collaboration between the National Committee and the Korea Society, especially in hosting public education programs like the one being held.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the National Committee, Susan reaffirmed the organization's commitment to shaping American foreign policy through vital discussions on topics affecting the region and the world. She acknowledged the proximity to the Korea Society and expressed eagerness for future collaborations.

In addition to thanking Tom and other participants, Susan highlighted the importance of the day's discussion regarding America's strong dollar policy and its implications. She expressed interest in understanding the potential impacts of changes in the dollar's value, especially concerning relations with the Republic of Korea and other global partners.

Susan then introduced the speakers, Celia Mosen and Jacqueline Adams, emphasizing their expertise and the significance of their discussion in shedding light on the themes of the book "Paper Soldiers" and the broader context of the U.S. dollar's role in global economics and policy.

Susan's speech offers an insightful overview of the National Committee's objectives and its synergy with the Korea Society in fostering informed discussions on international relations, emphasizing the importance of the event's theme in understanding the intricacies of American foreign policy and economic strategy.

The dialogue also touched upon the challenges faced by the US economy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of domestic policies and global economic structures. The event facilitated a robust discussion on the resilience of the dollar amidst geopolitical shifts and financial uncertainties, offering a platform for attendees to engage with the economic narratives shaping our world.

The insightful conversation underscored the importance of understanding the dollar's weaponization and its broader implications. It highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to navigate the evolving global landscape and to consider the future of economic strategies in shaping a balanced global order.

The event predominantly discusses the global influence of the U.S. dollar, its impact on international relations, economic sanctions, and the strategic financial policies of the United States. While the main focus is on the U.S. dollar's role in the world order and its relation to U.S. economic policy, there are a few mentions of China in the context of global financial dynamics:

1. Yuan as a Potential Alternative to the Dollar: The conversation touched upon the notion of the Chinese yuan potentially becoming an alternative to the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency. It was noted that despite China's economic size and efforts to internationalize the yuan, the currency lacks the transparency and openness that investors find in the U.S. dollar, which is crucial for a global reserve currency.

2. Global Financial Fragmentation: There's a mention of the world dividing into two camps, with one led by China and the other by the U.S., indicating a fragmentation in global financial alliances and the potential implications for the U.S. dollar's dominance.

3. China's Economic Policies: The discussion briefly touched on China's control over its currency and the challenges that pose for the yuan to be seen as a viable alternative to the dollar in the global financial system.

These mentions provide a context for China's role in the global financial system and its relationship with the U.S. dollar's dominance but do not delve deeply into Chinese-specific topics or policies. The overarching theme remains focused on the U.S. dollar's influence and the strategic economic considerations of the United States on the world stage.

The co-organizers emphasized：For further insights into "Paper Soldiers" and the weaponization of the dollar, attendees were encouraged to explore additional resources and engage with the ongoing dialogue on this critical subject, reinforcing the event's role in fostering informed discussions on pivotal economic and policy issues.

About [Organization Name]: Dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Korea and the United States, [Organization Name] offers comprehensive programs in arts, culture, education, business, and policy, contributing to the discourse on international relations and economic strategies.

The Holocaust and the United Nations Release Video Series ： In Their Names

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Category: World Hot News

Published: Wednesday, 27 March 2024 10:32

Written by Gentry

Clockwise from top left: Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Fumiko Ishioka, Tali Nates, Paul Salmons, Borso Tall. Credits: UN Photo/Manuel Elias, Anthony Tran, Jono David, Musealia, Borso Tall

In Their Names invites five individuals from diverse regions to share with us how they have been shaped by their encounter with the history of the Holocaust. Speakers include educators, writers and human rights advocates and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

Tali Nates is the Founder and Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre and Chair of the South African Holocaust and Genocide Foundation. Ms. Nates has lectured internationally on Holocaust education, genocide prevention, reconciliation, and human rights. Ms. Nates was born to a family of Holocaust survivors. Her father and uncle were saved by Oskar Schindler. [Video duration: 02:14]

Fumiko Ishioka directs the Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center. In 2000, she rented a suitcase from the Auschwitz Museum to convey the story of the Holocaust to children in Japan. The suitcase had a name, Hana Brady, a birth date, and the word Waisenkind ('orphan' in German) painted on it. Ms. Ishioka began researching the life of  Hana Brady, and eventually found her surviving brother, George, in Canada. Hana’s suitcase continues to travel around the world. [Video duration: 03:02]

Alice Wairimu Nderitu is the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. Ms. Nderitu is a recognized voice in the field of peacebuilding, violence prevention, mediation and reconciliation. Her grandfather, a veteran of the First and Second World War, taught her about the value of fahamu (consciousness – deep understanding - in Kiswahili) to comprehend the impact of war and the Holocaust. [Video duration: 03:49]

Paul Salmons is an independent curator, education consultant and educator specializing in difficult histories. He co-founded the Centre for Holocaust Education at University College London. [Video duration: 03:00]

Borso Tall is a freelance journalist and human rights educator. In 2019, she was granted a scholarship to participate in a History, Memory and Representation Study Tour of Poland and Germany. Shortly after her mother’s death, Ms. Tall visited sites commemorating the Holocaust and connected with the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. The experience inspired her to preserve memories of history through writing. [Video duration: 02:49]