The Cyprus Institute (CyI) won a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Award for its research and educational activities addressing the climate crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor’s office has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence chief, as well as three Hamas leaders, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The request will be reviewed by a pre-trial chamber composed of three magistrates, who will decide whether to issue the arrest warrants. If issued, the individuals could be arrested if they travel to an ICC signatory state, but the court itself has no means to enforce an arrest. The application for warrants may indirectly influence other court cases and legal challenges related to Gaza.
The United Nations has not received any aid from a U.S.-built pier in Gaza for the past two days after an incident on Saturday in which food was taken from 11 out of 16 trucks before they reached a U.N. warehouse.
Nine protesters from Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Spain are facing deportation from Greece after being arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Athens School of Law. Police detained a total of 28 Greek and foreign protesters on charges of disrupting the operation of a public entity and damaging foreign property. Evidence against the protesters included various items such as leaflets, Palestinian flags, smoke flares, gas masks, helmets, paint cans, and banner poles. While Greek protesters were released pending trial, the nine foreign nationals remained in custody pending a decision on their deportation. Their lawyers have stated that deportation orders have been issued, preventing the defendants from attending their own trial. Pro-Palestinian supporters have been protesting in Greece since Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Greece recently abolished legislation protecting universities from police entry, sparking criticism from those who saw it as a threat to democracy.
The cessation of aid deliveries through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip is due to the threat posed by Israel’s military operations in the area. Israel’s military offensive has caused activity to stop at the crossing since May 7, leaving international aid stuck on the Egyptian side of the border and raising concerns about food supplies perishing. Egypt’s foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, has called for Israel to open other land crossings to deliver aid.
Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, was imprisoned by Israel for 23 years before rising to a leadership role in the militant group. He made a speech in December 2022 promising a fierce strike against Israel, which was carried out less than a year later in an assault that killed 1,200 people. Sinwar had a history of punishing collaborators with Israel and has been devoted to the destruction of Israel and killing Jews.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister, as well as three leaders of Hamas, over alleged war crimes. Israel’s Foreign Minister called the request “scandalous” and opened a special war room to counteract the move, which he believes is aimed at tying Israel’s hands in exercising its right to self-defence. Katz also plans to urge foreign ministers of leading countries to oppose the prosecutor’s decision.
The fact described in the text is that hopes are fading that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister have survived a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, as search teams located the wreckage and all passengers are feared dead.
Israeli troops and tanks entered parts of the northern Gaza Strip, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians. The Israeli forces also took over ground in Rafah, a city by the Egyptian border. Benny Gantz threatened to resign if Netanyahu does not agree to a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8. The recovery of the body of a hostage taken by Hamas triggered the latest incursions. Israeli forces have continued operations in Gaza, conducting precise operations against terrorists and infrastructure. Netanyahu has faced criticism for failing to articulate an endgame in the war. Gantz proposed a six-point plan for Gaza’s civil administration. The strain on Israel’s coalition has increased, with demands for clarity on post-war plans. Armed groups attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia and Rafah, resulting in casualties on both sides. Israel’s military reported 281 soldiers killed in fighting, while over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes. UNRWA stated that nearly 800,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah since the ground operation began. Israel aims to capture Rafah to destroy Hamas and ensure security.
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a global labor union that has been organizing in Cyprus since 2020. The IWW stands out from traditional trade unions by being a union for all workers, including minorities, migrants, and sex workers. The IWW is not trying to be friendly with employers and government, unlike traditional unions. The IWW is a horizontal organization that values transparency and full participation rights for all members. The IWW encourages workers to join traditional trade unions as well. In Cyprus, the IWW organizes all workers under one big union, unlike traditional federations divided by profession or sector. The IWW aims to prioritize organizing over mere mobilizing and believes in forming strong relationships with fellow workers.