July 20, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) ICJ’s landmark ruling declares Israeli occupation of Palestine illegal The International Court of Justice has ruled that the occupied Palestinian territories constitute a “single territorial unity,” which will be protected and respected. Stressing that The Hague regulations have become part of customary international law, and are thus binding on Israel, the court said, “Protection offered by the Human Rights Convention does not cease in case of armed conflict or occupation.” In reference to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, the court noted that Israel’s “exploitation of natural resources” in occupied Palestinian territory is “inconsistent with its obligation” to respect Palestinians’ right to sovereignty. *) Biden and Netanyahu to discuss Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal White House National Security Council Adviser Jake Sullivan has said President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss ways to reach a deal on a ceasefire in besieged Gaza and the return of hostages during their meeting. Sullivan told Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that the “overriding focus of the meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu is going to be about the ceasefire and hostage deal.” He said Biden will focus his energy with Netanyahu to “get this deal done in the coming weeks.” *) Democrats struggle to unite behind candidate as Biden vows to stay in race The Democratic National Committee’s rulemaking arm has held a meeting, pressing ahead with plans for a virtual roll call before August 7 to nominate the presidential pick, ahead of the party’s convention later in the month in Chicago. However, Democrats struggled to unite behind a candidate as President Joe Biden insisted he would stay in the election race against Donald Trump. It’s a pivotal few days for the President and his party. And Democrats, racing time, are considering the extraordinary possibility of Biden stepping aside for a new presidential nominee before their own convention. *) Tunisia’s Saied announces reelection bid in October Tunisian President Kais Saied has said he will run for a second term in the October 6 presidential election. Saied, who first won in 2019, officially announced his candidacy in a televised speech published on his Facebook page. Speaking in the southern region of Tatouine, the 66-year-old said he was answering the “country’s sacred call” which left him no choice but to run for a second term. *) France bans hijab for French athletes at Paris 2024 French athletes have been barred from wearing the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, at the Paris Olympic Games. France imposed the ban on its national team players as it prepares to host the Games from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera initially announced the ban on September 24, 2023.