We stand firmly against injustice in all its forms. Nothing can justify the current war crimes committed by Israel in occupied Palestine. Equally, nothing can excuse the continued support offered by other nations to this apartheid regime. If you believe in human rights, dignity, and justice, then we urge you to boycott this rogue state. Silence is complicity, do what’s right.
March 7, 2024 N Engl J Med 2024; 390:900-910 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2309822
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in preclinical studies. Direct evidence that this risk extends to humans is lacking.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease. The excised carotid plaque specimens were analyzed for the presence of MNPs with the use of pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, stable isotope analysis, and electron microscopy. Inflammatory biomarkers were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical assay. The primary end point was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause among patients who had evidence of MNPs in plaque as compared with patients with plaque that showed no evidence of MNPs.
RESULTS
A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a mean (±SD) follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months. Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram of plaque; 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram of plaque. Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine. Patients in whom MNPs were detected within the atheroma were at higher risk for a primary end-point event than those in whom these substances were not detected (hazard ratio, 4.53; 95% confidence interval, 2.00 to 10.27; P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, patients with carotid artery plaque in which MNPs were detected had a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected. (Funded by Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05900947. opens in new tab
“Although situated far from the Middle East, Guyana has a close interest in the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory”.
“Israel’s activities in the occupied territory, which have been brought in sharp focus by the tragic and ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, are a matter of truly global concern,” he said. Craven added that the occupation has “significant implications not only for the state of Palestine and the Palestinian people but for all states opposed to the acquisition of territory by force”.
“Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory is an offence against this bedrock principle of international law, and it is a serious and a continuing threat to a peaceful, secure and stable world”.
“Guyana’s participation in these proceedings and presence here today reflect its firm conviction that the advisory opinion by the court on the questions posed by the General Assembly will play a valuable and indeed vital role in enabling the United Nations and all of its member states to secure full compliance with international law and ultimately to achieve a permanent, just and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he said.
Craven also said the countries that advocate against an advisory opinion against Israel’s occupation are wrong. For example, the US argument is based on the assumption that negotiations are ongoing between the Israelis and the Palestinians, which is not the case, Craven argued.
The conduct of an occupation is governed by international humanitarian law while the legality of the occupation is determined by UN Charter and general international law. The argument advanced by the US that the occupation is governed solely by international humanitarian law leaves no room for the application of the Charter, especially article 2(4) by which the acquisition of territory by force is prohibited.
Occupation is “inherently and exclusively a temporary state of affairs”. An occupying power does not acquire “one atom” of the occupied territory and cannot make permanent changes. “Permanent occupation is military conquest, it is annexation, and annexation is of course strictly forbidden under international law,” he said.
It is indisputable that Israel’s occupation is unlawful as a whole. Israel has annexed almost all Palestinian territories and has extended the application of its laws to that territory. It is irrefutable that Israel intends its occupation to be permanent.
There have been unequivocal declarations on the annexation of East Jerusalem, as well as deliberate demographic manipulation that profoundly changed the character of the Holy City.
“Israel’s occupation must end, immediately, comprehensively, irreversibly,” Craven said.
Posted inGaza, Justice|TaggedGaza genocide, ICJ|Comments Off on GUYANA REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD CRAVEN MADE THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENT TO THE ICJ ABOUT ISRAELI CRIMES
Knafeh (or Kunafa) is a delicious Palestinian dessert with layered crispy pastry and sweet cheese soaked in syrup, and is believed to have originated centuries ago in Nablus, a city in Palestine, where it was made using local Nabulsi cheese. It is crunchy on the outside, cheesy and gooey on the inside, and overall just delicious!
There are two popular types of Knafeh: Na’ameh, which is made with ground semolina dough called farkeh, and Khishneh, which is made with shredded phyllo dough called kataifi.
Although traditionally Knafeh is made on the stove in special silver plates, which is difficult for most people. Therefore, this recipe will rely on the oven and baking instead.
On August 25, 1938, the day after the British Assistant District Commissioner was assassinated, British forces bombed the city of Jenin, destroying a quarter of the city. Israel follows exactly the same style of British colonialism.
The Israeli occupation and political conflict have had significant impacts on the social and economic conditions of the Occupied Palestinian Territories , particularly for women. Women have been subjected to the lack of social and economic security and various forms of violence. They continue to be vulnerable to complex systems of violence rooted in ongoing military occupation, human rights violations, prevailing patriarchal norms that exacerbate these conditions, and racial discrimination in the unequal distribution of power and resources.
International Rights of Palestinian Women
Palestinian Authority (PA) has taken several positive steps to overcome gender inequality, such as ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2014 without reservations. PA has also developed and implemented the National Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women for the period 2011-2019, the Comprehensive National Strategy for Gender Equality and Justice for the period 2017-2022, and the National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for the period 2017-2019, among others.
Rights of Palestinian Women under Palestinian Law
Palestinian law grants women the right to representation in local councils and bodies, as per the Local Councils and Local Authorities Election Law No. (5) of 1996. Women also have the right to participate in general elections under the General Elections Law No. (13) of 1995. The law makes education mandatory up to the tenth grade and encourages women’s right to work, despite challenges faced by working women, such as maternity leave, family grants, age discrimination, and social security.
National Woman’s Day
The Palestinian Cabinet, in its session No. (13) chaired by Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on July 17, 2019, adopted October 26 of each year as the National Day for Palestinian Women. This date holds significant historical value as the first Palestinian women’s conference was held in Jerusalem on October 26, 1929, reflecting the aspirations of the Palestinian people at that time.
Solidarity Stand with Palestinian Female Prisoners
On October 24, 2022, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in PA organized a solidarity stand with Palestinian female prisoners in Israeli occupation prisons. Participants raised Palestinian flags and images of prisoners, demanding their release and drawing attention to the harsh conditions and medical neglect faced by female prisoners.
Violations Against Palestinian Women
1. Arrest and Violence: About two-thirds of women in the Palestinian territories experience violence. The Israeli occupation contributes significantly to this violence through killings and arrests. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the Israeli army killed 48 Palestinian women and arrested 184 others in 2021.
2. Inheritance: Despite Palestinian laws allowing women the right to own property and Islamic law granting them inheritance rights, the majority of women do not receive these rights due to male-dominated culture and the absence of binding legislation. Only about 12% of Palestinian women reportedly receive their legitimate inheritance rights.
Recommendations for Ensuring Rights of Palestinian Women
1. Adhere to and implement the Geneva Convention concerning the protection of civilians in times of armed conflict, considering the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the applicability of the concept of armed conflict to the Palestinian territories.
2. Implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 regarding the treatment of women and girls during interrogations, detentions, and life within prisons.
3. Urge high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to stop the physical and psychological assaults by Israeli authorities against Palestinian female detainees.
4. Develop a plan to protect Palestinian women from violence as part of the state’s clear strategic plans.
5. Enhance cooperation mechanisms and strengthen partnerships between governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and political parties to unify efforts for the fair rights of women.
6. Empower women by ensuring their representation in public life through constitutional and legal means. Consider seriously amending the constitution to guarantee fair representation for women in all elected councils.
7. Attempt to change male-dominated culture, customs, and traditions violating the rights of Palestinian women through awareness campaigns about women’s rights in families, schools, and universities.
Note : The article has been translated from Arabic to English, and the original text was published on the Democratic ArabicCenter for Strategic, Political, and Economic Studies(https://democraticac.de/?p=85540) by Iman Anan, a Master’s researcher in political science.
