Secretary General of the Turkish Islamic Union for Religious Affairs in Germany, Eyup Kalyon, revealed that 81 mosques had been subjected to various attacks since the beginning of 2023, stressing that half of the attacks occurred after the Israeli war on Gaza.
The Turkish Islamic Union for Religious Affairs in Germany (DETIB) announced that 81 mosques in Germany have been subjected to various attacks since the beginning of this year 2023.
Union Secretary-General Ayoub Kalyon said on Tuesday that half of these attacks occurred since October 7, with the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza.
He pointed out that attacks on mosques in Germany escalated after the Gaza War, expressing his concern about the increase in these attacks.
Callion called on the German authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent the continuation of the attacks.
He stated that among these attacks were drawing Nazi slogans on the walls of mosques, and throwing copies of the Holy Qur’an in front of mosques after burning them in unknown places.
Why does Germany always side with Israel?
Istanbul: While the Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued for more than a month, and with the increasing scale of massacres against civilians, the corridors of the press and public opinion have begun to discuss the reasons for Western countries’ support for Israel, despite those attacks.
The United States and the European Union, which claim to have the highest standards regarding basic principles of international law, especially the protection of human rights, and publish reports criticizing other countries on these issues, today ignore Israeli massacres of Palestinians and other violations of international law, their officials testify. With statements supportive of Israel.
Germany was not even able to call a ceasefire, adding a new page of shame to its history by abstaining from voting on the resolution calling for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in the UN General Assembly.
Whoever remembers the policies of these countries in support of Israel in the similar massacres committed by Tel Aviv in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon is not, in fact, surprised by the current positions, given the strength and influence of the Israeli lobby on politicians, bureaucrats and media professionals in the Western world.
The policy pursued by Germany towards the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza, more than four weeks ago, does not in fact deviate from the general line prevailing in the West.
In fact, the leaders running Germany's foreign policy seem to be making a special effort to be at the forefront of support for Israel and push the world toward forgetting the Holocaust, shouting at the top of their lungs that “Israel has the right to defend itself.”
But is Israel defending itself by killing thousands of children? This question is ignored by repeating the same phrase: “We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
As the number of Gaza children killed as a result of the Israeli bombing increased, and the reactions of German public opinion escalated, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed their modest rejection of the killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians, saying: “We do not want civilians to be harmed!”
How can this (that civilians not be harmed) be achieved without a ceasefire, and without stopping Israeli attacks? In response to this question, the same phrase is repeated again: “We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
In Gaza, Israel bombed the Ahli Baptist Hospital, killing more than 500 people. Chancellor Schulz, in turn, said on the social media platform “X” that “Israel has the right to defend itself, and every country has a duty to protect its citizens.”
Well, aren't Gazans citizens? Who will protect them from Israeli attacks? Who will protect the Palestinians in the West Bank from Israeli attacks, chaos, and the usurpation of their homeland? Chancellor Schulz has no answers to these questions; Because he believes that now is the right time to support Israel! This is not the time to question (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's goals.
Relentless efforts to exonerate Israel
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock showed an unparalleled performance in appearing as the most ardent supporter of Israel, as if she was concerned about the anger of Netanyahu and the Israeli lobby, for their inability to prevent anti-Israel demonstrations in Berlin.
On the day of the Hamas attack (on the settlements near Gaza, last October 7), Baerbock expressed the German Foreign Ministry’s position in support of Israel by saying: “Hamas is escalating the violence. I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against Israel from Gaza.” She later said: “We are completely in solidarity with Israel, and Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism in accordance with international law.”
Three days later, on October 10, after hundreds of Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli attacks, the German minister continued her position in support of Israel by saying: “Europe as a whole stands with Israel.”
Regarding the killing of civilians in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks, Birbock said that “the suffering and death of Palestinian civilians is part of the terrorists’ strategy,” and after that she tried to exonerate the Israeli administration by saying: “Hamas is hiding behind the civilian population.”
On October 13, when the number of civilians in Gaza who died as a result of Israeli attacks began to number in the thousands, the German minister said, “Israel is living these days under the influence of barbaric terrorism. Israel has the right to defend itself against this terrorism within the framework of international law.” Germany stands by Israel without hesitation,” reiterating its support for the Netanyahu government by saying: “That is why I will go to Israel today.”
But, what does it mean? the German Foreign Minister mean by saying that Israel has the right to defend itself “within the framework of international law”? Did she mean that if Israel violated international law while defending itself, we would withdraw our support for it? Without a doubt, no.
Although Israel continues to bomb Gaza, violating all the rules of international law and committing war crimes that shame humanity, Germany’s support for the Netanyahu government continues to this day.
The topic of the Holocaust is constantly covered on German television and newspapers, reminding Germans that although the crime in question was committed by their ancestors, current generations also bear the same degree of responsibility.
Germany was not even able to call a ceasefire, adding a new page of shame to its history by abstaining from voting on the resolution calling for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in the UN General Assembly.
However, if Israel can be forced to cease fire on humanitarian grounds, it will be possible for foreign nationals who were bombed in Gaza to leave the Strip and return to their countries, including German citizens as well. (But) Israel did not allow the evacuation of German citizens in Gaza for 3 weeks. What was Germany’s reaction to Israel, which kept its citizens captive in Gaza under bombardment for weeks: “We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
4 reasons why Germany supports Israel
There are arguably four main reasons behind German support Germany's unconditionalIt is the burden of the Holocaust past, the Israeli lobby in the country, the influence of the United States, and the line of the current coalition government.
There is no doubt that the genocide committed against the Jews during the reign of (Adolf) Hitler has mortgaged German policy in favor of Israel to this day.
We should not forget that there are people who are doing their best to ensure that this approach continues. At this stage, the role of the Israeli lobby in the country comes into play
The topic of the Holocaust is constantly covered on German television and newspapers, reminding Germans that although the crime in question was committed by their ancestors, current generations also bear equal responsibility.
As a result, German politicians always describe protecting Israel as German “state policy.” They also believe that Germany should support Tel Aviv regardless of what the latter does in the Palestinian territories and the region, and turn a blind eye to the Palestinians who have fallen victim to this pathological thinking.
Libya expels 600 illegal Egyptians
Libya is increasing its expulsions of foreigners. After forcing nearly a thousand Egyptians to leave its territory on foot last June, on Monday, hundreds of others were returned to the Emsaead border post by the body responsible for combating illegal immigration.
The body responsible for combating illegal immigration in Libya organized road convoys on Monday from Tripoli, in the west, to the border with Egypt, in the east of the country, to return 600 Egyptian nationals in an irregular situation , in coordination between rival Libyan regions. An authority affiliated with the Interior Ministry of the Tripoli-based government.
Many Egyptians try every year to reach Europe via the Eastern Mediterranean by transiting through Libyan territory, often at the risk of their lives. However, thousands of others have lived there for years, working in agriculture, construction or commerce, particularly in and around the capital.
Until then, UN agencies were responsible for repatriating refugees and migrants. But since an agreement recently reached between the authorities of the West, South and East, it is the body in charge of referrals to the Ministry of the Interior which is piloting operations.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 700,000 migrants are present on Libyan territory.
Uganda: Museveni downplays Washington's exclusion of his country from trade deal
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Sunday that the United States was "overestimating" its importance, after Washington announced it was withdrawing Uganda from a major trade deal over human rights violations.
Washington announced last week to exclude Uganda, as well as the Central African Republic, Gabon and Niger, from the list of sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from the African Growth and Opportunity Act from January 2024; AGOA.
This text allows African countries to export many products to the United States without customs duties. This preferential commercial treatment is, however, subject to a series of conditions in terms of political pluralism, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the fight against corruption.
US President Joe Biden has accused the Ugandan government of human rights violations since the adoption in May of a text called the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Law.
The text provides for heavy penalties for people having homosexual relations and “promoting” homosexuality.
But Yoweri Museveni on Sunday told Ugandans "not to be too worried about Uganda's removal from the AGOA list."
As soon as the “anti-homosexuality law” was adopted, Joe Biden called for its immediate repeal and threatened to reduce American aid and investments in Uganda.
In August, the World Bank had already announced the suspension of new loans to Uganda.