"The project is a US$45 million grant, financed by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, which was set up and funded by #Norway. Under the agreement, Norway compensates #Guyana for curbing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. Guyana channels these payments into implementing its low-carbon development strategy. The Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project is part of these efforts."
#France canceling Israel's participation in a major defense exhibition.
The #Maldives banning Israeli citizens from entering the country.
A British coffee shop chain, Pret a Manger, canceling its franchise agreement with an Israeli company.
McDonald's facing a boycott in some countries due to its Israeli operations.
The Israeli hi-tech industry, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy, is also being affected by the boycotts.
[...] "McDonald's network also faced a pro-Palestinian boycott that hurt its sales worldwide, according to its reports. In April, the global network acquired the Israeli operation, which consists of 225 branches, from franchisee Omri Padan, [...] McDonald's entry into Israel was one of the harbingers of the end of the Arab boycott that Israel had faced since its establishment. The acquisition of the Israeli operation by the global network was intended to reduce friction between the network and Muslim customers worldwide - among other things, by reducing the identification of the local operation with IDF soldiers and the captives held in Gaza [...] After October 7, Padan led an unprecedented operation of offering a 50% discount to soldiers in uniform at all network branches - and this increased the pressure on the global network. Estimates are that after the deal is completed, McDonald's will reduce or cancel the discount - in the hope of weakening the criticism and boycott against it worldwide."
Possible long-term effects these boycotts will have on the Israeli economy: higher living costs and reduced competitiveness. But the Israeli government's policies and actions are leading to increased international isolation and economic damage, and Israelis will, ultimately, bear the costs of these decisions.
I apologize for asking an uncomfortable question, but has there ever been a debate in Germany about replacing the Iron Cross symbol of the German army?
I applaud every delivery of German equipment to Ukraine, but whenever I see the iron cross on a Leopard tank, my heart skips a beat.
To me, modern day Germany is a beacon of freedom, and I feel this symbol is associated with the opposite.
Picture 1: Iron cross on modern day German helicopter.
@randahl
just try to imagine what I think when I look at the Emblem of the Republic of #France, or at the Seal of the Senate of the #USA, or at the podium of the US House, or at the Coat of Arms of #Ecuador, of #Cameroon and of the canton of #SanktGallen, or the Emblems of the Guardia Civil of #Spain, or those of the police of #Norway and of #Sweden.
All those countries use the symbol of #Fascism, which also gives the name to the ideology itself, for some of their most important institutions!
"As of today, all the Nordic countries have signed bilateral #security agreements with #Ukraine. This is a true manifestation of a long-term commitment to #SupportUkraine... guided by Ukraine's needs"
"Volodymyr, you and Ukrainian people can count on continued strong, Nordic support. Our strategic aim is Ukrainian #VICTORY.
#Spain and #Ireland are the largest and most politically influential #EU nations to recognize Palestinian statehood, joining a few other European countries that have already done so.
While largely symbolic, the three nations hope their move will gather momentum and spur more EU countries to follow suit. The #UK, #Australia and some other EU states have indicated they could also recognize Palestinian statehood. However, #France said now is not the right time, while #Germany sided with the #US in rejecting a unilateral approach, insisting dialogue is needed for a two-state solution (the model, the Oslo accords, favored Israel and the status quo at the expense of Palestinian right for self-determination).
#Islamophobic far-right #Abascal had met with #Netanyahu on the same day that #Spain, #Ireland, and #Norway recognized #Palestine as a sovereign state, sparking diplomatic tensions with #Israel. His visit was condemned by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who accused Abascal of spreading falsehoods and fueling conflict.
♲ @faab64@diasp.org:> ### The Municipality of #Nablus raises the flags of #Norway, #Ireland and #Spain in the presence of the Ministers of Local Government, Tourism and Antiquities and the Governor of Nablus, in appreciation of these countries’ decision to recognize the State of #Palestine.
I've had very little time to focus on my art the last months unfortunately (renovation truly is a killer of artistic endeavour). However, whenever I had some minutes I've spend it on this portrait. No speedpainting, just working in my own rhythm. This portrait is based of a photograph of cod-fishermen from #Lofoten, #Norway. Taken in 1910 by Anders Beer Wilse. The man depicted is unknown, sadly.
Some folks are wondering whether the #Pentagon will be happy about #Ukraine striking a "Voronezh-DM" radar early warning system inside #russia?
Yes they will be happy, very happy!
Ukrainian F-16 combat missions could start within 2 weeks. The "Voronezh-DM" can detect and track F-16 radar profiles rather too easily - right across #Ukraine
Taking out this complex helps reduce triangulation ⏩
#Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, officially recognizes the State of #Palestine, "There cannot be peace in the Middle East, if there is no recognition."
Yedioth Ahronoth Hebrew newspaper: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering closing the #Israeli#embassy in #Ireland due to its blatant anti-Israel stance, which came to light yesterday (Wednesday) when it announced, along with #Spain and #Norway, recognition of the #Palestinian state.
The Spanish, Irish & Norwegian govts announced Wed that they would recognize a #Palestinian state, saying there would be no #peace in the #MiddleEast w/o it.
Israel denounced the move as giving aid to its enemy #Hamas.
The coordinated announcements are purely symbolic — but not w/o some power.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate recall of the Israeli ambassadors to #Spain, #Ireland & #Norway. “I am sending a clear message today: #Israel will not be complacent against those who undermine its sovereignty & endanger its #security.”
The #UnitedStates govt reiterated its position that recognizing a #PalestinianState was premature & must be the result of direct negotiations between Israel & the #Palestinians.
#Palestine / Norway, along with Ireland and Spain, to recognize Palestinian state (to be followed by Slovenia and Malta); Israel recalls ambassadors to Ireland, Norway
With over 140 UN member states now recognizing Palestine, the wave of European support signals growing impatience with the stalled peace process and a willingness to challenge U.S.-backed insistence on direct negotiations favoring Israel's position.
[...] "In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," --- Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (#Norway)
Israel swiftly condemned the move, recalling its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland, and warning of "dire consequences" if Spain follows through. The Israeli Foreign Minister accused the countries of "undercutting Israel's sovereignty and endangering its security."
[cont’d] Norwegian Foreign Minister: We Decided to Recognize a Palestinian State Now Due to Netanyahu's Government's Policies
In an interview with Haaretz, Anniken Huitfeldt said that the government's position against negotiations with the Palestinians, its support for the establishment of settlements and its policies in the West Bank pushed her country and its partners to initiate the move now.
[…] "There is a feeling that with the current government, it is impossible to continue sitting and waiting for an agreement, […] This encourages countries to take action."
[…] "Our commitment to a two-state solution has existed for decades, but we always believed that it would come as a result of an agreement and mutual recognition,"
[…] "The current Israeli government is very clear in its position against negotiating (with the Palestinians), and this certainly influenced us, […] Some said we should have done this long ago."
Huitfeldt accused Netanyahu's current government of
[…] "supporting the establishment of new and illegal settlements, and an overall policy that distances an agreement in the West Bank."
In response to #Haaretz's question about the Israeli criticism that the three countries' decision is an achievement for Hamas, Huitfeldt said that in her view the opposite is true:
[…] "We want to strengthen the moderate forces in the Palestinian Authority and in Israel that support the two-state solution and are enemies of Hamas. We want to strengthen the anti-Hamas, and I hear reactions from Palestinians today telling me – 'This is an important step for those who oppose terror, oppose violence, and support a political solution.' That is our goal, to convey a message of support for the two-state solution, which Hamas does not support."
#FarhanHaq, a #UN spokesperson, said the new smaller numbers reflected those bodies which had been fully identified. The bigger figures included corpses for whom identification has so far not been completed.
#Ireland, #Spain and #Norway have announced plans to formally recognise a #PalestinianState on Wednesday, amid warnings from #Israel that recognition will ‘fuel extremism and instability’.
"We are witnessing a historic process -- Russians are leaving for the first time in two centuries," independent Azerbaijani analyst Elhan Shahinoglu told AFP.
Any #RussianCitizens whose purpose is #tourism and other non-essential travel will be turned back at the border. Exceptions may be granted in cases such as visits to close family residing in #Norway, the ministry said in a statement. #Russia#Ukraine