Turkey-Syria earthquake: Controversial Israeli rabbi calls disaster 'divine justice'

1 month ago Middle East Eye

A controversial Israeli rabbi has sparked outrage after claiming the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday was "divine justice". At least 28,000 people were killed in Monday's devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with as many as 18m people directly affected in southern Turkey and northern Syria. Since the devastating earthquake, dozens of countries from across the world have dispatched aid and rescues team to Turkey, including Israel. The rift was healed in 2016 when full diplomatic relations were restored and both countries traded ambassadors. Late last year, Israel's President Isaac Herzog met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara, marking the first visit by an Israeli head of state to the country since 2008.
Continue reading...

Read On "Middle East Eye"

More News On "Middle East Eye"

World Cup 2022: Qatar gets the party started as foreign fans flood Doha

Iconic head coverings dominated Doha's corniche, as thousands of lovers of the beautiful game clamoured to get a look at the impressive fireworks display on the eve of the 2022 World Cup. One group of Argentina supporters stood out and heaped praise on the host nation, saying it could not have been more different to the previous World Cup in Russia. "This is a rare opportunity for a fan like me to witness Brazil play in a world cup. I previously watched world cup games on TV and I'm super excited to see the matches live in person. Qatar World Cup 2022: Match dates, kick-off times and how to watch Read More »The waterfront will be an important tourist hotspot where daily leisure events will take place throughout the World Cup.

4 months ago Middle East Eye

Erdogan-Sisi handshake: Qatar planned the meeting for months

Several sources familiar with the meeting told Middle East Eye that Doha had been trying to broker a brief meeting between the two former foes since summer. “Qatar wanted all problems between the two countries to be resolved, and the emir wanted this handshake to happen during the World Cup,” the source said. Ali Bakir, a non-resident senior fellow at Atlantic Council, says "the handshake initiative” by the Qataris had no political motives. “Qatar is trying to get the external patrons in Libya aligned to prepare the ground for a more lasting political deal." According to Krieg, Egypt is now trusted by both Turkey and Qatar, despite the animosity of recent years, and that trust ultimately led to the Sisi-Erdogan handshake.

4 months ago Middle East Eye

World Cup 2022: Morocco's success sparks debate about Amazigh erasure

The Atlas Lions' Amazigh fans heralded the moment on social media, with the Twitter user @histoirerifaine captioning a picture of Mohamedi: "The Berbers are making history today!" Discrimination against the Atlas Lions' Amazigh players also manifests in less obvious ways. At a recent press conference, Atlas Lions head coach Walid Regragui expressed frustration with the assignment of ethnic labels to the team. When a journalist inquired whether the Atlas Lions represented the Arab world, Regragui retorted: "I'm not a politician." A wide range of the Atlas Lions’ fans view their success as a source of pride for all Moroccans, regardless of ethnicity.

3 months ago Middle East Eye

Brazil elections: Arab diaspora fear four more years of Bolsonaro

According to the latest polls, Bolsonaro trails by a small margin despite heavy campaign spending and support from evangelical groups. In a bid to shore up support, Bolsonaro has tried to cast his re-election bid in biblical tones, even calling the race a "fight between good and evil". This created a state of constant fear and anxiety among the members of the Brazilian people and the Arab community," Mourad said. Read More »In July, the Brazil & Arab Countries Economic Forum said relations had strengthened under Bolsonaro, with the Arab world now considered Brazil’s third-largest international market, with trade reaching record highs of $24 billion in 2021. Ahmed Alshaib, a Palestinian national and civil engineer who arrived in Brazil just four years ago, agreed, saying he saw economic benefits with a second Bolsonaro term along with better foreign policy priorities.

4 months ago Middle East Eye

Ron DeSantis: Republican rising star alarms Muslim, Palestinian communities

A defence attorney told MEE that he had met DeSantis once while at Guantanamo, but said the meeting was "unremarkable". After serving in Iraq and then working at Guantanamo, DeSantis went on to pursue a political career that has in part been defined by leading legislation targeting Muslim and Palestinian communities. Targeting Muslim charitiesDeSantis also spent his time in Congress targeting Muslim charities in the US. Carrol said that DeSantis' targeting of Muslim charities builds on the work done by other NGOs that are "staunch supporters of the Israeli government". Hilal said that in a battle between Trump and DeSantis, "Muslims and other marginalised communities will be put directly in harm's way."

3 months ago Middle East Eye

'Jew-ish, not Jewish': Congressman-elect says he 'embellished' resume

A US congressman-elect has recently admitted to "embellishing" many parts of his resume on the campaign trail, including details of his own Jewish heritage. I'm sorry," Santos said in the interview. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was 'Jew-ish'." I'm embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume," he told the Post. The Israeli leader had been a headline speaker at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual convention in November, showing Netanyahu appears to be favouring one US political party over the other.

2 months ago Middle East Eye

UAE-Ukraine trade talks seek to 'balance' ties with US

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to begin bilateral trade talks with Ukraine earlier this week, as it seeks to balance its relationship with Russia and the United States, despite pressure from western capitals. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has decimated the latter's economy, which officials hope to restore through a trade agreement, particularly in foodstuffs. The talks also come as the UAE comes under increased scrutiny in the west for not toeing the line and imposing sanctions on Russia. This should come as no surprise, Ibish believes, and is consistent with the UAE's approach of "balancing and using trade to promote national and international goals". A trade deal with Ukraine fits into that wider strategy.

3 months ago Middle East Eye

BREAKING NEWS

20 days ago - The Shift Ban: Eight players who could benefit 20 days ago - Milan Fashion Week: Granny Chic, Raspberry Velvet & Outfit Templates For Autumn 22 days ago - LaMelo Ball breaks ankle, latest setback in rough season 22 days ago - Horvat stabilizing offense for injury-plagued Islanders 22 days ago - Knicks defeat Celtics, run win streak to six 22 days ago - Keys to the Game: Knicks 109, Celtics 94 22 days ago - Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction, Preview, and Odds 22 days ago - Knicks win 6th straight, drop Celtics from top spot in NBA 22 days ago - Who are Jimmy and Dee Haslam, reported new Milwaukee Bucks co-owners? 22 days ago - 4 family members and a mistress: Who are the 5 linked to HK model Abby Choi’s grisly murder? 22 days ago - Two mainly snowless mornings; but we’ve one more snow chance in the lowlands Tuesday 22 days ago - Pennsylvania district considers bringing 'feelings' into math curriculum as some community members balk 22 days ago - Murdoch testified Fox commentators ‘endorsed’ Trump’s 2... 22 days ago - Ball fractures ankle in Hornets' 117-106 win over Pistons 22 days ago - The gruesome murder of Hong Kong model Abby Choi 22 days ago - Giroux has goal, 3 assists as Senators beat Red Wings 6-2 22 days ago - 'It's all a bunch of whodunit': East Palestine caught in politics of Ohio train derailment 22 days ago - Rupert Murdoch acknowledged that Fox News hosts endorsed false stolen election claims 22 days ago - UK school pupils stranded in US after hotel 'shredded passports' 22 days ago - What we know and don’t know about the origins of Covid-19 IV News 22 days ago - Asic sues Mercer Super for allegedly ‘greenwashing’ fossil fuel and gambling investments 22 days ago - 🌱 Hershy Schwartz Death Leaves Questions + Marco Financial Funding 22 days ago - Murdoch says some Fox hosts 'endorsed' false election claims 22 days ago - Minus Timo Meier, Sharks host new-look Canadiens 22 days ago - Spread of tuberculosis in Baffin Island hamlet the largest reported in Nunavut since 2018 22 days ago - DeSantis appoints conservative supporters to new Disney board 22 days ago - Courteney Cox Reacts To Prince Harry Doing Chocolate Magic Mushrooms At Her House 22 days ago - A Nanny State Idiocracy: When the Government Thinks It Knows Best 22 days ago - White House asks agencies to remove TikTok from official govt. devices within 30 days 22 days ago - Las Vegas builders start year with fewer home sales but hope emerges 22 days ago - Highway 97 closed near Cooper Rd., police explosives unit called in - Kelowna News 22 days ago - Sex education suspended in Isle of Man school after drag queen 'tells pupil there are 73 genders' 22 days ago - Kyle Busch secures first Richard Childress Racing win in Auto Club 400 22 days ago - WWE Raw results, live blog (Feb. 27, 2023): Tag Team Title Match 22 days ago - 1 killed as tornadoes rip through Oklahoma, California braces for more snow 22 days ago - White House sets deadline for purging TikTok from federal devices 22 days ago - NAHL Announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week 22 days ago - BitFlyer founder seeks comeback to calm crypto exchange turmoil 22 days ago - Budget 2023: City and schools want more funding 22 days ago - Karlsson Can See Writing on Wall for Sharks…But Can’t Get Over Wall 22 days ago - Lakers Star LeBron James Breaks Silence Amid Brutal Injury News 22 days ago - Surrey Police Union files ethics complaint against city councillor in ongoing transition battle 22 days ago - White House: No more TikTok on government devices within 30 days 22 days ago - Twitter cuts more staff as Musk turmoil grows 22 days ago - USC workers urge school officials to refrain from anti-union tactics – Orange County Register 22 days ago - First time for Alaba is same old time for No. 12 Cherokee in SJ Group 4 final win 22 days ago - Girl who died of bird flu did not have widely-circulating variant 22 days ago - Winds shred Southern Plains; California set to get more snow 22 days ago - Looking Back at the Highest Scoring Games in NBA History 22 days ago - JK Rowling’s ex-husband blasts writer’s abusive marriage claims: ‘I helped her write Harry Potter!’ - Entertainment News 22 days ago - Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 2 Leaks – New Battle Pass 22 days ago - South Omaha group rallies support for $25 million for Plaza de la Raza makeover 22 days ago - ‘Trend of escalating violence’: Coastal GasLink decries pipeline sabotage claims on anarchist site 22 days ago - US battered by tornadoes, wind and snow as more storms expected 22 days ago - West Hartford Native Elan Ganeles Killed in Terrorist Attack in Israel - We-Ha 22 days ago - Everything Everywhere All at Once Wins Big at This Year’s SAG Awards 22 days ago - MSNBC’s Joy Reid Goes OFF On Dilbert Creator Over Racist Rant: ‘How Will Black Folk Ever Survive Without You?’ 22 days ago - TikTok banned on all Canadian government mobile devices 22 days ago - D-Street indices fall for seventh straight session 22 days ago - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs law to put Disney district under state control