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📰 Israel blocks UNRWA access

📰 Israel blocks UNRWA access

and Burkina Faso crisis deepens

Ross Crabtree & Billy Robinson
October 30, 2024

Hello and welcome back,

Significant developments today as Israeli parliament voted to prohibit UNRWA—the UN institution responsible for humanitarian aid to Palestinians—amidst evidence of genocide presented by South Africa to the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.

In other news, Bolivia is grappling with political violence following an assassination attempt on former leader Evo Morales. Meanwhile, attacks in Burkina Faso highlight the escalating instability across the Sahel region, where military-led governments are becoming increasingly common due to the previous regime's inability to effectively contain violent jihadist groups like JNIM.

This, and more, below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Israeli parliament votes to ban UN humanitarian lifeline for Palestinians: The Knesset voted 92-10 to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)—which has operated since a 1967 agreement—prohibiting it from delivering services in Israel, and Palestinian Territories East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank. Israeli lawmakers also classified UNRWA as a terrorist group, restricting official interactions and leading to the expected closure of its East Jerusalem office. This move would block humanitarian aid access via Rafah and prevent cooperation with Israel’s military. More than 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced and the Gaza Strip faces widespread shortages of food, water and medicine. “It’s outrageous that a member state of the United Nations is working to dismantle a UN agency which also happens to be the largest responder in the humanitarian operation in Gaza,” Juliette Touma, spokesperson for UNRWA, said in a statement. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the decision, warning it would worsen Palestinians’ suffering in Gaza. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the US State Department, along with multiple other states and multilateral blocs, expressed deep concern over the vote's humanitarian impact.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 The conflicting formulae for peace in Ukraine: The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to divergent strategies for achieving peace. As the conflict nears its third year, both Ukrainian and Russian forces are deeply exhausted, with widespread losses in troops and military assets. The initial Russian strategy of rapid conquest has shifted to a war of attrition, leveraging its larger population and Ukraine’s reliance on Western support. In contrast, Kyiv increasingly views a ceasefire as a more attainable goal than outright victory. However, Ukrainian leaders remain firm in rejecting peace agreements that lack robust security guarantees, fearing a renewed Russian threat. With U.S. elections on the horizon, Western allies face the challenge of balancing military support with diplomatic efforts to initiate talks. Yet, mutual distrust and conflicting preconditions continue to hinder prospects for genuine negotiations, leaving the path to a sustainable peace uncertain.

3️⃣ 🇲🇲 Operation 1027, Myanmar, one year on: In October 2023, three powerful ethnic armed groups in northeastern Myanmar—known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance—launched a surprise offensive named Operation 1027, breaking a long-standing stalemate with the military, or Tatmadaw. These groups, including the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, swiftly seized significant territory and military bases, particularly in Shan State along the Chinese border. Their coordinated attacks inspired broader resistance from pro-democracy militias and ethnic groups, stretching Tatmadaw forces thin across the country. Despite increased conscription and air superiority, the military has struggled to regain lost ground. The resistance forces now control or influence a large swath of territory, threatening key cities like Mandalay. Furthermore, China's strategic diplomacy and ceasefire negotiations, aimed at forging a lasting peace, have proven lacklustre in achieving sustainable outcomes. AP writes that internal tensions among ethnic groups could pose future challenges if the Tatmadaw collapses.

4️⃣ 🇮🇶 🇸🇾 The nexus of geopolitics and narcotics in Iraq: Iraq’s emergence as a key transit route and growing hub for amphetamine-type stimulants like captagon and crystal meth has prompted new counter-narcotics initiatives aimed at both cracking down on illicit trades and leading regional cooperation. Recent efforts include security operations in provinces like al-Anbar, resulting in multiple seizures and arrests, and a regional counterdrug summit on July 22. During the summit, Iraqi leaders unveiled the creation of a National Drug Control Center in Baghdad, emphasising intelligence sharing among regional neighbours to address rising drug flows. However, including the Syrian regime—linked to large-scale drug production—poses a challenge. Experts like Caroline Rose from the New Lines Institute suggest Iraq should strategically test Syria's intelligence-sharing willingness while maintaining control over information. Meanwhile, U.S. collaboration with Iraq could focus on non-intelligence-based cooperation to counterbalance potential risks.

5️⃣ 🇧🇫 Human Rights Watch criticises Burkina Faso for ‘unnecessary risks’ to civilians in build up to deadly jihadist attack: HRW accused the government of Burkina Faso of exposing civilians to unnecessary danger following a deadly jihadist attack in Barsalogho, where over 130 were killed and hundreds injured. The government, which denied the accusations, heavily relies on civilian militias to counter violent Islamist groups. In August, at least 100 villagers in the Barsalogho commune were killed by militants linked to al-Qaida. According to HRW, civilians were forced by security forces to dig trenches near security outposts when fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched the attack. JNIM claimed that the victims were militia members. Witnesses reported that residents were coerced under threats and violence by soldiers. The government, however, rejected allegations of forced labour and denied the claims. The attack underscores the deepening instability across the Sahel, where junta-led governments are increasingly becoming the norm, largely due to the previous regimes’ failures to effectively counter violent jihadist groups like JNIM.

Major Story

🇿🇦 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 SOUTH AFRICA PRESENTS EVIDENCE OF ISRAEL’S ALLEGED GAZA GENOCIDE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Background

South Africa's legal team has submitted a substantial document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as part of its ongoing case alleging that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This nearly 5,000-page filing marks a significant milestone in the legal proceedings initiated by South Africa.

Claims of Genocide

The document articulates the core argument that Israel possesses a “special intent to commit genocide” against the Palestinian population. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised this assertion in a statement, reinforcing the seriousness of the allegations. In response, the Israeli government has categorically rejected these claims, labelling them as “blood libel” since South Africa first lodged the complaint in December 2023. An ICJ official has confirmed receipt of the document, although it will remain confidential until later stages of the proceedings.

Context of the Conflict

The submission comes amid an intense military operation by Israel in northern Gaza, where evacuation orders have been issued. The UN reported that approximately 400,000 individuals remain in the region, facing severe food shortages due to a significant decline in humanitarian aid over the past month. The ICJ has already implemented three rounds of emergency measures, directing Israel to cease its military actions in Rafah and to facilitate increased aid access.

International Response and Future Proceedings

South Africa argues that Israel’s actions violate international law, undermining the global governance systems designed to hold states accountable. The case has garnered support from several countries, including Spain and Chile, which have petitioned to join the proceedings. Israel now has until July 2025 to respond to the allegations.

The situation remains fluid as the ICJ navigates these serious allegations amidst ongoing conflict. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for international law and humanitarian efforts in the region.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇾 Uruguay set for presidential election run-off: Uruguay is gearing up for a closely contested presidential run-off next month following a first round of voting on Sunday, in which a centre-left candidate emerged ahead of two conservative candidates who split the right-wing vote. Additionally, voters rejected a contentious pension reform proposal in one of two plebiscites held. Official results indicated that centre-left candidate Yamandu Orsi received approximately 1.06 million votes, significantly outpacing the ruling coalition’s Alvaro Delgado, who garnered 644,147 votes. Andres Ojeda, who secured 385,685 votes, has pledged to support Delgado in the run-off. Since no candidate achieved over 50% of the first-round votes, the run-off is set for November 24. Uruguay, with a population of 3.4 million, is recognized for its moderate political climate, unlike the stark right-left divisions seen elsewhere on the continent.

2️⃣ 🇲🇽 Controversial judicial reforms sees Mexican Supreme Court Justice resign: Supreme Court Justice Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena announced his resignation this week in a letter addressed to Mexico's Senate, citing a contentious judicial reform passed in September. This reform mandates that all 7,000 judges in Mexico be elected by popular vote by 2027, shifting from the previous system based on professional qualifications. Critics argue that this change could result in increased corruption and undermine the concept of a lifelong judicial career. Ortiz Mena expressed his unwillingness to be part of a system reliant on public support, stating, “I don’t consider myself a suitable candidate for a position that depends on popular support.” He will officially resign on August 31, 2025. Other justices, including Supreme Court President Norma Lucía Piña, are also expected to resign, as discussions regarding the reform's constitutionality continue within the court.

3️⃣ 🇧🇴 Rising unrest in Bolivia sees assassination attempt on former leader, Evo Morales: Former Bolivian leader Evo Morales has accused the government of his former ally, Luis Arce, of attempting to assassinate him following an early-morning ambush on Sunday that left his vehicle riddled with bullets. Morales shared a video on Facebook showing bullet holes in his car’s windshield, declaring, “Elite agents of the Bolivian State attempted to take my life today.” In response, Arce condemned political violence and called for a thorough investigation, with his deputy security minister promising to look into the incident. The ambush comes amid escalating tensions, as Morales' supporters have been blocking major highways for weeks in protest of his legal challenges, clashing with security forces. The Morales-aligned faction of the MAS party claimed the attack was orchestrated by heavily armed men in two vehicles near a military base. As Bolivia prepares for elections, the political landscape is increasingly fractious, with Morales seeking a return to power amid allegations against him regarding relationships with minors, which he denies.