Israel on Trial Marks 100 Days of War

By Andrea 

100 days: Last Sunday marked 100 days since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. While IDF bombings have already killed over 24000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, has affirmed that the ‘intense phase’ of combat will end soon (notably in the northern territory). Mr. Gallant claimed that Israel is ready to enter the next phase of the war in Gaza. Even though we are unaware of what this new phase will entail, the Israeli defense minister has ruled out the possibility of a ceasefire.



Strike in Beirut: Saleh Al-Arouri, one of the most influential leaders of Hamas, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital on 2 January. The attack has triggered fears of regional escalation since it represents the largest Israel strike on Beirut since the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war. Although Hezbollah and the IDF have been exchanging clashes since even before 7 October, the attacks had always remained within few kilometers from the border. So far, these concerns have failed to materialize, but all actors involved will now feel the pressure rising.



Israel on trial for Genocide:All eyes are now set on The Hague with South Africa’s accusations against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). UN Human Rights experts have celebrated the beginning of the public hearings before the ICJ, considering the magnitude of the bombardments in the Palestinian territory since October 2023. South Africa denounces that Israel is committing systematic acts of genocide in Gaza. However, legal representatives of Israel claim the accusations are unfounded, and restated that protecting their citizens remains their sole goal. With both public hearings finished, the ICJ is now in the deliberating phase for this case concerning the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.



A fragmented EU: EU representatives have kept a rather neutral (or silent) position on the matter. Most EU MSs guaranteed their support for the ICJ, however, they failed to portray a united stand on the issue. On one hand, Slovenia has been the first to join the ICJ motion against Israel, while other strong critics of Israel’s actions, such as Spain and Ireland, are still to make a clear stand. On the other hand, Germany and Austria expressed their disapproval towards South Africa’s accusations.



Blinken’s Visit to the Middle East
By Blanca

Throwing water to the fire: From 4 to 11 January, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken toured the Middle East - notably Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel - in the hope of mediating the regional turmoil. No surprise: the main topic in the agenda was ensuring Israel’s security while taking steps towards the establishment of a free Palestinian state. This comes as fears of a regional conflict escalation intensify, following pressures by Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq.



Stop the fire! For a second: In his new emphasis to expand and accelerate humanitarian aid for Gaza, Blinken kept arguing in support for so-called ‘humanitarian pauses’ arguably “to protect civilians and allow foreign nationals to leave”, as well as to allow aid to enter the territory. Arab countries opposed this suggestion, firmly demanding an immediate ceasefire. No way for Blinken who claimed that a ceasefire now would allow Hamas to regroup.



Saving face: Critics claim that the real aim of Blinken’s visit was to improve the US’ reputation in the international community, amidst backdrop criticism that it is not condemning Israel’s military operation enough. In addition, analysts argue, this effort was not enough to exert any real influence over Israel, that remains officially supported by the North American country.



New Year’s Eve Amid Border Challenges

By Laura

En route towards the new year: During the night of 31 December 2023 to 1 January 2024, Moroccan army units, in close cooperation with the authorities and local police, intercepted a total of 1,110 migrants near the Spanish enclave’s border in Northern Morocco. The arrests took place in the towns of Nador, M'diq and Fnideq as part of a macro-operation against irregular migration. According to the Moroccan law enforcement agencies, migrants were waiting to cross to the Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla.



Human rights: The Moroccan Human Rights Association (Association Marocaine des Droits Humains, AMDH), denounced the discovery of the bodies of four Moroccan migrants in Beni-Enzar, a Moroccan town close to the border with the Spanish enclave of Melilla. More in-depth: AMDH blamed the action of the police in rejecting minors in their attempt to reach the Spanish North African town and the inhuman conditions in which these minors are deported back to their country of origin.



Annus horribilis: This event closes a year, 2023, in which, according to the Spanish authorities, irregular migration into the European country grew by 82%, thus breaking the downward trend of the last two years. On the northern coast of Morocco, the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, as the EU's only land borders situated in Africa, are constantly under the spotlight for illegal entry attempts. The other relevant gateway to Europe in the Atlantic Ocean is the maritime migratory route to the Canary Islands. In 2023, the archipelago faced its biggest influx of migrants since 2006, as 70% of migrants coming to Spain arrived through the islands.



Morocco Chairs UN Human Rights Council
By Hafssa

Defying the odds. For the first time in history, Morocco got elected to chair the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2024. Established in 2006, the Geneva-based UNHRC is a 47-member intergovernmental body tasked with “protection and promotion” of human rights. Morocco secured 30 votes, whereas South Africa received just 17! The Council’s president is Omar Zniber, a diplomat who had occupied key positions abroad. Zniber seems well suited for the position, but his responsibilities include appointing impartial experts to investigate human rights violations. Will he turn against his home country?



Bombshell for political prisoners. Morocco’s election raises eyebrows on the eligibility of candidates and the council’s effectiveness. Over the past years, Morocco’s human rights record hit rock bottom due to the arrest of journalists, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens who surpass the red line; the red line being the royal palace, its protégés and the security/intelligence services. To this day, prominent names like journalists Soulaimane Raissouni, Omar Radi, and Taoufik Bouachrine; Rifian activist Nasser Zefzafi, and 80-year-old lawyer Mohammed Ziane, are serving prison sentences ranging from five to 20 years.



UN reputation at crossroads. Rabat has always mobilized tremendous resources to sugarcoat its reputation, and it may be tempting to think that it will improve its human rights record to conform to UNHRC standards. However, the government’s intransigence vis-à-vis teachers’ demands and the disruption of the academic year, tell otherwise. Ultimately, the election is a test for Morocco and the UN, and the former’s failure to uphold human rights standards in the coming months will cast doubt on the UN’s impartiality and transparency.



Now, a bit of culture...

In this section, we uncover some of the most listened and watched musicians, writers or YouTubers of the MENA or new publications, articles or books either from or on the region. If you have any suggestions, you’re always welcome to tell us via our email!



The pursuit of a good life: How does capitalism sell hope? How does hope nourish capitalism? How is this hope dissociated from Egypt’s socio-economic realities? The Labor of Hope: Meritocracy and Precarity in Egypt by Harry Petitt explores urban inequalities and ‘hope-making’ among Cairo’s educated but underemployed men. Pettit draws the trajectory of young Egyptian men pursuing financial stability in a context where meritocracy is elusive.



The Labor of Hope falls at the intersection of human geography and political economy. It is a must-read for academics, students, and anyone who would like to gain a grasp of labor mobility in Egypt and beyond. If you happen to be in London on February 7th, stop by the London School of Economics’ Shaw Library to attend Pettit’s book discussion. The event is public, but the entry is on a first come first served basis. Save the date!



Resilient Art: Today we want to show you an extraordinary Palestinian artist based in Amman: Dana Barqawi. She is a multidisciplinary artist whose work challenges colonial narratives, explores indigenous identities, and aspects of womanhood and community. Her colourful creations are deeply connected with the political and social notions of our world. Check out her amazing pieces here.