Palestine recognition: the principle the EU has been stuck on for decades

Europe’s ability to help bring peace to the Middle East has long come under question, with Spain’s PM this week saying it had failed on Gaza

In 1980 when Leonid Brezhnev ruled the Soviet Union and Donald Trump was a property developer, the nine leaders of the then European Community made their first major foray into joint diplomacy. The cause: the Middle East, including a Palestinian state.

“The time has come to promote the recognition and implementation of two principles universally accepted by the international community: the right to existence and to security of all states in the region, including Israel … [and] recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” stated the Venice declaration calling for Palestinian self-determination.

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Afghan earthquake death toll jumps to more than 2,200, say Taliban

Aid agencies plead for funds as rough terrain hinders relief effort and 98% of buildings in one province are damaged

The death toll from a major earthquake in Afghanistan this week has jumped to more than 2,200, just as another magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit the southeastern region of the country on Thursday night.

On Thursday, Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed that the death toll from Sunday’s earthquake had risen to 2,205 – up from previous estimates of 1,400 – making it one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the country in decades.

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Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after fighting ends – AP News

  1. Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after fighting ends  AP News
  2. 26 nations ready to take part in postwar Ukraine force, Macron says  Reuters
  3. Ukraine allies ready to commit to post-war security guarantees  politico.eu
  4. Europe Aims to Show It Is Ready to Secure Postwar Ukraine  The New York Times
  5. Macron says ‘Coalition of the Willing’ will finalise ‘robust’ Ukrainian security guarantees – as it happened  The Guardian
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Prominent Palestinian academic dies from Israeli-imposed Gaza famine – Middle East Eye

  1. Prominent Palestinian academic dies from Israeli-imposed Gaza famine  Middle East Eye
  2. How to stop Israel from starving Gaza  Al Jazeera
  3. UN: More food enters Gaza, but malnutrition deaths bound to continue  Haaretz
  4. UN rights office alarm over escalation in Gaza City, annexation plans for West Bank  UN News
  5. The unthinkable in Gaza City has already begun  Unicef
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