The forgotten people
May 3, 2021
If at all any reminder of the Palestinians’ helplessness in the face of a brutal and inhuman apparatus was needed, it has come in the form of their hindered access to vaccines, as the infection and death rates register phenomenal increase in the Palestinian territories.
Israel’s success in managing to vaccinate a major chunk of its population has been dwarfed by its refusal to help Palestinians with the vaccination.
For Palestinians that work in East Jerusalem with residency status are entitled to vaccination, the Israeli authorities have reluctantly started vaccinating them. As for the West Bank and Gaza, the situation appears to be deteriorating by the day amid a surge in the number of coronavirus cases.
Swiss urge Palestinians to hold elections âas soon as possibleâ
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cited uncertainties about whether the polls would be able to proceed in East Jerusalem, annexed by Israel, for his decision to postpone elections. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
The Swiss foreign affairs ministry has called on all parties to resume efforts to âensure free, inclusive and transparent electionsâ throughout the Palestinian Territories and to set a new date for the polls without delay.
This content was published on May 3, 2021 - 12:09
May 3, 2021 - 12:09
swissinfo.ch/gw
The ministry on Monday said it regretted the decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone elections, which it believes are essential for restoring the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions and preserving a two-state solution.
Israel marks national day of mourning after Mount Meron tragedy Flags were lowered to half-staff in Israel on May 2, as the country honored the 45 people who perished in the Mount Meron stampede on April 30. A projection of an Israeli flag flying before lit candles is displayed on the Old City walls of Jerusalem, as Israel declares a national day of mourning for victims of a stampede during the Lag Ba Omer holiday at Mount Meron, May 2, 2021, - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images
May 3, 2021
Israel marked a national day of mourning on May 2, honoring the 45 people who perished early on April 30 in a stampede on Mount Meron. The tragedy happened during the Lag Ba Omer religious festivities, in the country’s deadliest-ever civilian disaster. Among the dead were over a dozen children and teenagers. Victims include Israelis and also nationals from the United States, Canada and Argentina.