https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:31:30 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230730-istanbul-galatasaray-secures-mauro-icardi-in-8m-transfer-deal-for-3-year-contract/ Sun, 30 Jul 2023 13:50:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656499 Turkish club Galatasaray announced a three-year deal with Argentine forward Mauro Icardi from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday, involving a £8 million (over $11 million) transfer fee, reports Anadolu Agency. In a statement, the Istanbul side revealed that the transfer fee will be paid to Icardi's former club, spread over four seasons in installments. Starting from the 2023-2024 season, Icardi will be donning the Galatasaray jersey for the next three seasons. The prolific striker will be earning a net salary of £5 million ($6.4 million) per season. Icardi, 30, arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport late on Friday as fans welcomed him, cheering his name. He spent the 2022-2023 season at Galatasaray on loan and scored 23 goals in 26 appearances, winning the […]]]> 656499 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-israel-envoy-you-can-be-pro-palestine-and-a-friend-of-israel/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:55:01 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651434 Deputy Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonathan Peled said in an event hosted by the Wilson Center in Washington that Israel "today is to ensure, convince, and persuade governments in Latin America that the relationship with Israel is not a zero-sum game." Peled clarified how Israel's influence and reach extends well beyond its immediate region and "nowhere is that more true than in the Americas." He said that Latin American countries were the "most important force" in supporting the creation of Israel and described support for Israel on the continent as "a matter of faith" for many in the region. Peled described Israel´s longstanding and historic friendship with the Western Hemisphere where there […]]]> 651434 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230703-united-in-solidarity-the-mission-of-the-latin-palestinian-forum/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 12:38:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648980 We often hear voices raised in solidarity with the Palestinian people coming from organisations and individuals committed to ending Israeli apartheid in occupied Palestine. However, it is interesting that the first meeting of the Latin Palestinian Forum's Board of Trustees pointed out divisive issues. Connecting solidarity for more effective action is a sincere proposal from the entities that carry the flag of a Free Palestine, but the means to achieve such a goal need reinforcement. The forum was born out of the World League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds (Jerusalem). It aims to add a Latin American perspective to strategic approaches to be taken. The first meeting of its trustees was held on 13 June. Forum members hailed it as an […]]]> 648980 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230624-weighing-expansion-brics-increasingly-draws-membership-requests/ Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:36:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646894 The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, continues to attract applications from numerous countries as it explores expansion opportunities, Anadolu Agency reports. Anadolu compiled the developments regarding the enlargement process of BRICS. Amid the search for a multipolar world, Brazil, Russia, India and China laid the foundations in 2009, with South Africa joining in 2010. BRICS, while criticising the unequal structures and resolutions of the Group of Seven (G-7) and the UN Security Council, calls for reforms in international structures and norms to establish a multipolar order. With a combined population representing nearly 42 per cent of the world's population, the BRICS countries control 18 per cent of global exports. The collective gross domestic product (GDP) of […]]]> 646894 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230608-im-going-to-miami-messi-chooses-us-over-saudi/ Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:38:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=643454 Argentinian football star Lionel Messi yesterday announced that he intends to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and snubbing a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported. Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona, but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules. "I made the decision that I'm going to go to Miami," Messi said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport newspapers."I still haven't closed it 100%. I'm still missing a few things, but we decided to go ahead. If Barcelona didn't work out, […]]]> 643454 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230605-benzema-to-sign-2-year-deal-with-saudi-champions-al-ittihad/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 12:11:55 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=642590 France international and Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema, has reportedly reached an agreement with Saudi Arabian football club Al-Ittihad on a two-year contract, according to local media. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner will leave the Spanish club after 14 years, as a free agent having won 25 trophies, including five Champions Leagues, and will join the Jeddah-based team on a deal said to be worth over $214 million per year. Yesterday in a statement, Benzema's former club announced: "Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club." "Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and has represented the values […]]]> 642590 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230601-unsure-if-messi-will-move-to-saudi-league-head-of-football-federation-says/ Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:10:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=641931 The President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al-Misehal, said he has no news on whether Lionel Messi is moving to the Saudi Pro League (ROSHN)'s tournament this summer, Arabi21 reported. "I have no news about Messi. Like you, I hear news from the media," Meshal told the Saudi SSC TV channel, according to Arabi21. Several unconfirmed news reports have been floated about the possibility of the Argentine Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star transferring to Sauid's Al Hilal Club this summer. The SAFF president expressed his hope that Messi would join the Saudi league, adding that he is one of his fans and would love to watch him play in the kingdom. He said that while he admired Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, Messi would complete the […]]]> 641931 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230522-as-19-countries-seek-to-join-brics-is-the-world-experiencing-a-change-in-the-balance-of-power/ Mon, 22 May 2023 13:13:18 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=638270 Since its formation in 2006, the BRICS group has only accepted one new member in 2010. Now, 19 countries have formally or informally approached the body to become members as it prepares to hold its annual summit in South Africa. Five Arab countries are among those who have expressed their interest in joining the BRICS group, South Africa's Ambassador Anil Sooklal said in an interview. Saudi Arabia and Iran have made formal requests to join, while the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain and Algeria have joined Argentina and Indonesia and a number of African states in expressing an interest in joining. "What will be discussed is the expansion of Brics and the modalities of how this will happen," Sooklal said. "Thirteen countries […]]]> 638270 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230512-argentina-condemns-israels-aggression-on-gaza-strip/ Fri, 12 May 2023 09:49:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=635918 Argentina has condemned the Israeli aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip, which continues for the third day in a row, and left dozens of civilian deaths, including children and women, as well as many injuries. "The Argentine Republic sends an urgent appeal to the parties to avoid a high level of confrontation that leads to exacerbating the tragic humanitarian situation in that region;" the Argentine foreign ministry said in a statement, on Thursday. The statement described the escalation of "violence" in the region, which this year alone has caused the death of more than 100 Palestinians, as "worrying", expressing its "condolences to the victims' families" and its "solidarity with the people and government of Palestine." "The Argentine Republic categorically affirms […]]]> 635918 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230504-saudi-offers-messi-400m-to-join-local-league/ Thu, 04 May 2023 16:49:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=633825 Argentinian football player, Lionel Messi, is reportedly in talks to joi the Saudi Pro League for an annual contract worth $400 million. According to the Telegraph, Saudi Arabia is preparing the offer as Messi is set to leave France's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) club and become a free agent this summer. After two years with PSG, the club suspended Messi following his trip to Saudi Arabia without its permission. Rather than training with teammates on Monday, he was, instead, in Saudi Arabia watching a palm-weaving demonstration and looking around the Arabian Horse Museum as part of his role as the Kingdom's tourism ambassador. At the end of this season, he is also set to move to the Gulf country, with the rumoured Saudi offer of $400 million potentially a […]]]> 633825 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230504-ronaldo-is-worlds-highest-paid-athlete/ Thu, 04 May 2023 15:02:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=633808 Thanks to his contract with the Saudi Al-Nassr Club, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2023, according to Forbes magazine. With an annual income of $136 million, the 38-year-old striker once again topped the list of highest earning athletes. He last occupied the number one spot in 2016 and 2017. His return to the top is the direct result of his departure from Manchester United and move to Saudi Arabia in January, with his combined contracts earning him $46 million this season, in addition to $90 million from various commercial partnerships over the past 12 months. His contract with Al Nassr ends in 2025 and sees Ronaldo earning an annual salary of $75 […]]]> 633808 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230503-the-palestinian-cause-and-argentinas-equidistant-policy/ Wed, 03 May 2023 14:07:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=632759 Although geographically distant, Argentina has a history of solidarity with Palestine. Before the approval of the UN Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947, the South American country was a contender as a possible location for a "national home for the Jews". This idea appeared in Theodor Herzl's The Jewish State published in 1896. Argentina was identified as one of the options for the Zionist project, along with Palestine, due to the fertility of its lands and its small population at that time. According to the Zionist ideologue, Argentina was "one of the most fertile countries in the world, [that] extends over a vast area, has a sparse population, and a mild climate." Herzl believed that, "The Argentine Republic would derive […]]]> 632759 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230424-descendants-of-ottomans-in-latin-america-los-turcos/ Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:52:03 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=630888 Many Ottomans who migrated from the Ottoman Empire to Latin American countries in the 19th century in search of a better life and were described as "Los Turcos" (Turkish people) have achieved significant success in many fields from politics to business, from art to literature. There were various waves of migration from the Ottoman Empire to Latin America from 1860 to the end of World War I, while World War II forced even more people to migrate to Latin America. Some immigrants were first greeted by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and preferred to stay in Latin America, although they set off for the US hoping to see the Statue of Liberty. Immigrants who arrived […]]]> 630888 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230418-argentina-to-replace-indonesia-as-u20-world-cup-host-following-protests-against-israel/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:18:48 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=629899 Argentina has been chosen to host the Under-20 World Cup after FIFA stripped Indonesia of its right to stage the tournament due to Jakarta's refusal to host the Israel national team, FIFA announced yesterday. "FIFA is delighted to announce that this year's edition of the U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to tomorrow's superstars of world football," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "Having this year's edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow." Argentina Economy Minister Sergio Massa said it signed "all the international deals that FIFA demanded from our government." With the Under-20 World […]]]> 629899 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230413-the-rise-of-the-south-can-brics-weaken-the-dominance-of-the-world-bank-and-imf/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:40:28 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=628837 Who would have expected that the BRICS nations could rise and become the potential rival of the G7 countries, the World Bank and the IMF combined? That once seemingly distant possibility now has real prospects which could change the equilibrium of world politics. BRICS — an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — was supposedly coined by the Chief Economist of Goldman Sachs in 2001, as a reference to the world's emerging economies. It was then known as BRIC; the "S" came later, when South Africa formally joined the group in 2010. The group's first official summit was held in 2009. Back then, the discussion seemed largely abstract. It wasn't until 2014 that BRICS began taking serious […]]]> 628837 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230411-chile-argentina-cuba-slam-israel-attacks-on-al-aqsa-mosque/ Tue, 11 Apr 2023 08:15:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=628206 Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Cuba condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing that Israel must avoid escalating violence. In a statement reported by Quds Press, Argentina said: "Holy places in Jerusalem are designated for safe and peaceful prayers," calling for Israel to "respect the historical and religious status quo in this holy site." Meanwhile, Chile expressed its concerns about the violence which erupted "when the Israeli police stormed a place of worship and forcibly expelled the people who were inside it." It called for "avoiding such provocative actions because they lead to escalation of violence," reiterating the importance of respecting the religious historical status quo at holy site. For its part, the Mexican Foreign Ministry expressed its "deep worries about the use of […]]]> 628206 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230328-can-an-arab-team-win-the-world-cup/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:21:18 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=625070 We all witnessed the great performance and deserved victory of the Moroccan team against the Brazilian team, which has won five World Cup trophies. The Moroccan win comes on the back of its excellent performance at the Qatar World Cup 2022 where it came fourth, making it the best performance of an Arab and African team in the history of the World Cup. The Moroccan national team has players of the highest caliber; many are active in the major European leagues, but no one expected them to have such a strong performance during the games and overcome some of the strongest football teams including Spain and Portugal. The first Arab victory over the Brazilian team Morocco's recent victory over Brazil […]]]> 625070 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230315-lionel-messis-father-arrives-in-saudi-arabia/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:34:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=622458 The father and agent of Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi arrived in the Saudi capital of Riyadh yesterday ahead of his son who is expected to follow him in the next few days, local medica reported. Jorge Messi was photographed in a hotel in Riyadh with two people close to the Saudi royal family. Sources told the media that Messi would be accompanied by his family and some of his friends during his stay in Saudi Arabia. Football fans took to social media to question Messi's trip in the kingdom, especially after his Portuguese rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, joined the local Al Nassr team. Rumours recently circulated about Messi's departure from Qatar-owned French team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) being "possible", as his contract […]]]> 622458 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230218-4-latin-america-countries-condemn-israels-decision-to-legalise-west-bank-settlements/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 16:00:57 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=615891 VII Cumbre de la @PPT_CELAC | Unidos, podemos tener una fuerza arrolladora. Para lograrlo, toda América Latina y el Caribe deben integrarse en una sola región que defienda los mismos intereses para el crecimiento de nuestros pueblos. pic.twitter.com/RcHqycwWLV — Alberto Fernández (@alferdez) January 25, 2023 It seems that the return of the left wing in Latin America has now begun to bear fruit after expectations that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Lula)'s victory will lead to a profound change in the political arena in Latin America and a real threat to US hegemony in the region. Internationally, a victory for Lula has represented the latest in a series of triumphs for a resurgent left wing in Latin America following […]]]> 615891 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230217-latin-american-governments-profoundly-worried-by-israels-west-bank-settlement-expansion/ Fri, 17 Feb 2023 18:17:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=615810 The governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico said on Friday they were "profoundly worried" by Israel's decision to expand settlements in the West Bank. "Our governments express their opposition to any action that compromises the viability of the two-state solution," they said in a joint statement, noting Israel's move violated international law and calling on both sides to resume talks and refrain from escalating the violence. READ: Israel preparing for 'major battle' against Gaza, media says]]> 615810 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230211-messi-shirt-up-for-auction-to-raise-funds-for-turkiye-earthquake-victims/ Sat, 11 Feb 2023 10:20:12 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=614011 Turkish footballer Merih Demiral announced on Friday that the shirt of Argentinian star Lionel Messi would be auctioned online to collect donations for victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye. Demiral, who plays for the Italian team Atalanta B.C., tweeted: "Messi's shirt worn in one of the matches and was personally signed by him, is being auctioned off." He added: "All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Turkish NGO AHBAP for use in the areas hit by the earthquake." Demiral explained that the auction: "Will close tomorrow, Saturday, at 19:00 GMT. Bids can be submitted via Twitter and e-mail", according to the tweet. READ: Israel considers using Ronaldo to promote normalisation with Saudi Arabia The Turkish international […]]]> 614011 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230208-saudi-prince-hands-al-hilal-players-266500-for-reaching-club-world-cup-final/ Wed, 08 Feb 2023 13:57:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=613218 Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal will award a one million riyal ($266,500) bonus to each player from Al Hilal for the 3-2 win over South American champions Flamengo that sent them to the Club World Cup final yesterday, Reuters reports. Prince Alwaleed, chairman of the Kingdom Holding Co, is a big supporter of the Saudi club and announced on social media that he will gift the players a similar amount if they win the final on Saturday. In addition, Saudi sports channel SSC reported that each player will get 500,000 riyals  ($133,333) from the country's minister of sports for the Flamengo victory. The final will be played against the winner of the other semi-final between Spain's Real Madrid and Egypt's Al Ahly today. READ: […]]]> 613218 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221224-jewish-agency-number-of-jewish-immigrants-to-israel-reach-record-high-due-to-ukraine-war/ Sat, 24 Dec 2022 09:30:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=602581 The Jewish Agency said yesterday that the year 2022 witnessed "the arrival of 70,000 new immigrants to Israel from 95 different countries, most of them thanks to the war in Ukraine." The agency stated that "it was the largest number of olim to arrive in 23 years and a dramatic increase over the previous year when only 28,600 new immigrants were welcomed." According to the Jewish Agency's figures, "Most of the immigrants came from Russia and Ukraine, according to the report that also showed that the rate of aliyah from most countries has returned to pre-pandemic levels." READ: Israel approves 36,000 new housing units in city of Holon The agency stated that between January and December 2022, 37,364 immigrants arrived in […]]]> 602581 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221223-details-of-ronaldos-contract-with-saudi-club-revealed/ Fri, 23 Dec 2022 10:32:38 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=602490 Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to join Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr as part of a two-and-a-half-year deal, Spain's Marca newspaper has revealed. The paper said according to the contract, Ronaldo will play with the Saudi club during that period and act as an ambassador for the kingdom's bid along with Egypt and Greece to organise the 2030 World Cup. According to Marca, Al-Nassr presented its lucrative offer on 23 November and an agreement was reached on 5 December. According to the agreement, Al-Nassr will have to drop three foreign professional players from its list to avoid breaching its financial spending, including Argentinian Pity Martinez and Uzbek Jaloliddin Masharipov. Meanwhile, a Spanish newspaper said Cristiano's salary will not reach $200 million per year, […]]]> 602490 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221222-israel-attracts-highest-number-of-immigrants-in-decades/ Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:01:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=602348 Over 70,000 people from 95 different countries migrated to Israel in 2022 with the support of the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jerusalem Post has reported. This is the highest number in two decades, and a dramatic increase over 2021, when an estimated 28,600 immigrants settled in the occupation state. According to Jewish Agency figures, published this morning, most immigrants this year are from Russia and Ukraine. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, 37,364 Jews arrived from Russia and 14,680 went from Ukraine. Other notable numbers include 3,500 from North America; 2,049 from France; 1,993 from Belarus; 1,498 from Ethiopia; 985 from Argentina; 526 from Britain; 426 from South Africa; and 356 from […]]]> 602348 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221219-qatar-had-more-than-1-4m-visitors-during-fifa-world-cup/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:24:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=601351 Qatar welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors from around the world during the FIFA World Cup tournament which ended yesterday with Argentina beating France to lift the trophy, the Qatar News Agency has reported. The total attendance figure for all matches combined was 3.4m people. The average attendance was above 53,000 per match, more than 96 per cent of the total capacity. "We organised an exceptional, impressive tournament," said Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. "It will represent a milestone in hosting major international events." Al-Thawadi added that the historic event will leave a sustainable social, economic and environmental legacy for the country and, in fact, the whole region. Sixty-three matches were played in […]]]> 601351 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221219-beckham-praises-fifa-world-cup-experience-in-qatar/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 11:59:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=601342 Former England footballer David Beckham has praised the quality of the visitor experience at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar for uniting fans from across the globe. Beckham played in three World Cup tournaments for the England team. "Seeing the fans come together and the level of football, it's been amazing," he told Qatar2022.qa. "It's been a privilege to see the excitement and the fun the fans are having." Qatar has succeeded in organising the most physically compact World Cup tournament in recent times, with all eight stadiums used for matches within an hour's journey time of central Doha. This allowed fans to attend more than one match a day in the group stages. READ: Qatar furious over Belgian probe into […]]]> 601342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221219-gaza-watches-as-argentina-wins-the-world-cup-in-qatar/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 09:15:34 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=601294 WATCH: Gaza: Funerals held for 8 Palestinians who died at sea making their way to Europe]]> 601294 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221206-female-fans-feel-safe-at-qatar-world-cup-thanks-to-reduced-alcohol-consumption/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:13:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=598924 Many supporters were up in arms at the idea of the World Cup taking place in a conservative country like Qatar, where the sale of alcohol is highly restricted, but for some female fans it has led to a safer experience at the tournament, Reuters reports. "I was expecting a very dangerous place for women. I didn't think I was going to be safe here … from coming here, that's not been the case; as a travelling female fan I can say that I have felt very safe," England fan, Ellie Molloson, told Reuters. Molloson, who is an ambassador for a campaign to tackle sexism in football called "HerGameToo", said that her father had been so concerned that he accompanied […]]]> 598924 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221122-saudi-arabia-declares-public-holiday-to-mark-sensational-world-cup-win-over-argentina/ Tue, 22 Nov 2022 19:53:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=596353 Saudi Arabia has declared a public holiday on Wednesday as it celebrates the national team's sensational FIFA World Cup win against Argentina, Anadolu News Agency reports. The ‏national holiday will be for all employees in "government and the private sector, as well as students in all educational stages," according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia beat Lionel Messi-led Argentina 2-1 in the Group C match on Tuesday to make an excellent start to Qatar 2022, and end La Albiceleste's 36-game unbeaten run. Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari both scored in the space of five minutes to secure the historic win. Guided by coach Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia will play against Poland and Mexico to end the group stage. […]]]> 596353 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221122-argentina-celebrates-as-it-renames-one-of-its-roads-palestine-street/ Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:01:22 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=596240 Scores of people waved Palestinian flags as they gathered in the city of Santa Clara del Mar, in Argentina's Buenos Aires State. They had come together to celebrate the renaming of one of its main roads in  the city to "Palestine Street" and to mark the 34th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. The local government of Santa Clara del Mar took the initiative in cooperation with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Argentina. While the celebration included traditional Palestinian dancing, the dabke, live singers and people wearing traditional Palestinian dress. "We appreciate this step that strengthens the ties between Argentina and Palestine. I expressed solidarity on behalf of the people of this city with the struggle […]]]> 596240 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221122-saudi-arabia-shock-world-cup-contenders-argentina/ Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:59:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=596326 Argentina made a nightmare start to their FIFA World Cup Group campaign after a shocking loss to underdogs Saudi Arabia, 2-1, on Tuesday, Anadolu News Agency reports. Argentine midfielder, Leandro Paredes, was fouled in the box and, after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, Argentina were awarded a penalty kick in the eighth minute. Lionel Messi converted the penalty successfully as Argentina took a 1-0 lead at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. In the first half, Argentina scored three goals, but they were disallowed for offside. Lionel Scaloni's men were caught offside position seven times in the first 45 minutes. But Argentina finished the first half, 1-0. In the second half, Saudi Arabia fought to turn the tables. Saudi Arabia levelled the […]]]> 596326 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221120-club-deportivo-palestino-chile-palestine-solidarity-on-the-football-pitch/ Sun, 20 Nov 2022 13:56:19 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=595261 Anyone who watches Club Deportivo Palestino playing, or sees one of its shirts in official photographs, may think that it is a Palestinian football club. In a way, that's exactly what it is, and yet it is based in Chile, thousands of miles from occupied Palestine. It is Chile's own version of Palestine solidarity — on a football pitch. Chile has the largest Palestinian diaspora community in Latin America; the third or fourth largest in the world. There are 400,000 Palestinian Chileans now in their fourth or fifth generation; the sons and daughters of the pioneers who left the Middle East many years before the events that shredded their native land to pieces. The club attracts support not only in […]]]> 595261 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221026-the-futility-of-war/ Wed, 26 Oct 2022 08:29:32 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=589560 When is a war not a war? Well, it depends on who is calling and firing the shots. As a young journalist, the first war I ever covered, albeit intermittently, was in Northern Ireland. I was told to refer to Operation Banner euphemistically as "The Troubles" because the UK government did not want the outside world to know that it was embroiled in a full-scale civil war. What else would you call the 1969 deployment of the British Army in Northern Ireland? By the time I was sent to cover the tail end of the conflict over 3,500 people had been killed before the Good Friday, or Belfast, Agreement was signed in 1998. Of the dead, 1,441 were British soldiers […]]]> 589560 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221019-saudi-egypt-greece-to-go-ahead-with-fifa-world-cup-bid-despite-human-rights-concerns/ Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:14:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=587488 Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece have announced that they will go ahead with their bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The trio are up against two other joint proposals – Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and Spain and Portugal. Saudi has said it will cover the majority of the costs and host most of the matches and it will be held in the winter, like Qatar, due to the high temperatures. Saudi Arabia will build at least two new stadiums, whilst Egypt will build at least one, according to the Daily Mail. Greece has come under fire for teaming up with two countries who carry out widescale human rights abuses including arbitrary detention, torture, and a widespread crackdown on women. […]]]> 587488 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220927-brazils-arab-latinos-project-seeks-to-strengthen-arab-latin-america-ties/ Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:18:45 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=582799 The acceptance of difference and respect for all, regardless of race or creed, are fundamental Brazilian values which have enabled immigrants to enter Brazil and blend into society with relative ease. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Arab migrants came mainly from the Levant: Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. According to the International Organisation for Migration, there are 13 million people of Arab descent living in Brazil. Those across Latin America are an example of a sizeable group of immigrants who have integrated successfully into the host cultures. This could still be costly, though, which is why the Arab Latinos project was launched in August at the Arab Brazilian Chamber headquarters in São Paulo, with the aim of strengthening ties and […]]]> 582799 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220912-palestinians-showcase-their-land-in-argentinas-festival-of-immigrants/ Mon, 12 Sep 2022 08:24:07 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=579151 With Israeli attacks ongoing in their homeland, the Palestinians living in Argentina know that they have a duty to preserve and share their culture and identity. The Festival of Immigrants and similar initiatives in Argentina allow them to do just that, and they had a presence there for the first time this year. The Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, celebrated the festival over the 3-5 September at the National Directorate of Argentinian Migration. The festival was born out of the desire of migrant communities to preserve their heritage and share their varied cultures with their fellow Argentinians. It provides opportunities to demonstrate coexistence, learning and understanding among diverse, yet integrated, cultures. As well as the Palestinians, communities from Syria, Lebanon and […]]]> 579151 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220819-fifa-sells-2-45m-tickets-for-2022-world-cup-in-qatar/ Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:52:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=574174 The international football governing body FIFA said that 2.45 million tickets have been sold for the 2022 World Cup which is set to be held in Qatar. "With less than 100 days to go until the start of the greatest show on Earth, a total of 2.45 million tickets have now been sold. The first FIFA World Cup™ to be held in the Middle East and Arab world will kick off on 20 November, bringing fans from the region and across the world together in a compact and modern setting," FIFA said in a statement on its official website. The statement added that during the last phase of sales, which lasted from 5 July to 16 August, more than 520,000 […]]]> 574174 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220803-us-asks-argentina-to-confiscate-aircraft-linked-to-iran/ Wed, 03 Aug 2022 10:37:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=571034 The US Department of Justice said on Tuesday that it has asked the government in Buenos Aires for permission to seize an Iranian plane that was sold to new owners in Venezuela but is being held in Argentina on suspicion of being linked to international terrorist groups. The unannounced arrival of the plane in Argentina on 8 June raised concerns within the Argentinian government about its relations with Iran, Venezuela and companies that the US has imposed sanctions on. The Justice Department said that the seizure request followed the disclosure of a warrant in the District Court for the District of Columbia dated 19 July to take the aircraft for violating export control laws. According to the department, the US-made […]]]> 571034 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220802-the-1990s-argentina-bombings-have-come-back-to-haunt-arab-and-muslim-communities/ Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:56:43 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=570802 The bombings which targeted Argentina's Jewish community in the 1990s have returned to haunt Arab and Muslim communities in the South American country following a new investigation by the Israeli Mossad spy agency in which Hezbollah is accused of being responsible. The report rejects suspicions that Argentinians were complicit or Iranian officials in Buenos Aires were involved. The governments of Argentina, Israel and the United States have long accused Iran of having an operational role in the March 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 29 people and wounded 242, and the July 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Centre in the Argentinian capital, in which 80 people were killed and more than 300 were wounded. […]]]> 570802 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220624-colombia-elects-1st-leftist-president-in-its-history-a-great-supporter-of-palestine/ Fri, 24 Jun 2022 09:48:07 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=563372 In Colombia, where  some 13,000 Palestinians reside, the leftist candidate Gustavo Petro has won the presidential election after he defeated his far-right rival Rodolfo Hernandez. The 62-year-old's victory represents a major revival for Colombia's progressive left in Latin America as it joined left-wing parties in Chile, Peru, Mexico and Argentina for the first time. According to figures published by Colombia´s electoral authority, Petro won 50.44 per cent of the votes compared to the 47.31 per cent achieved by his opponent. "Today is a day of celebration for the people. Let them celebrate the first popular victory. May so much suffering be cushioned in the joy that floods the heart of our country today ," Petro said on Twitter. Petro was […]]]> 563372 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220613-iran-airline-denies-plane-seized-in-argentina/ Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:19:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=561555 Iran's Mahan Air has denied media reports claiming the Venezuelan-flagged cargo plane seized by Argentina at the Buenos Aires airport belongs to it, Anadolu news agency reports. Mahan said in a statement yesterday that the plane seized in Argentina was owned by Venezuela and had nothing to do with the Iranian airline. The statement came a day after a Venezuelan-flagged Boeing 747, allegedly owned by Iran's Mahan Air, was reportedly seized by Argentinian civil aviation authorities immediately after arrival at Ezeiza International Airport. The cargo plane is blacklisted under US sanctions and so was immobilised, it's five-member crew was detained. Mahan explained that the plane's ownership had been transferred to a Venezuelan company. The statement further said the seizure of the plane had "political […]]]> 561555 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220531-argentina-national-football-team-cancels-match-with-israel/ Tue, 31 May 2022 15:01:42 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=559512 In the face of intensive local and international pressure, the Argentine national football team has cancelled its match against Israel scheduled for 6 June at the Sami Ofer Stadium in Haifa. The decision has been taken despite lengthy preparations in Buenos Aires and the raising of $2.5 million to fund the friendly game. Calls for the match to be cancelled were made by the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and the Argentinian Palestine Solidarity Committee, as well as human rights and solidarity organisations in the South American country. The demands were made in response to a letter from Palestine's Al-Khader Football Club to the Argentine national team. The letter received wide coverage, not least because Al-Khader FC player […]]]> 559512 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220517-palestinians-and-their-supporters-across-latin-america-have-commemorated-the-nakba-anniversary/ Tue, 17 May 2022 12:28:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=555914 Many events have been held across Latin America on the 74th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, both official and popular. The Nakba — Catastrophe — was the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the creation of the Zionist state of Israel by terror gangs helped by the British Mandate authorities. More than 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes and villages at gunpoint. At least 500 Palestinian towns and villages have since been razed to the ground by Israel in the effort to Judaise historic Palestine. With more than 15,000 Palestinians killed during the Nakba, the refugees fled to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and neighbouring Arab countries. They and their descendants have never been allowed to fulfil their legitimate right […]]]> 555914 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220511-rising-prices-set-to-stoke-inevitable-rise-in-civil-unrest-in-egypt-tunisia-lebanon/ Wed, 11 May 2022 11:13:07 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=554767 A report by a risk consultancy has said that rising fuel and food prices are set to stoke a rise in civil unrest in developing middle income countries, with Egypt and Tunisia among the states which will take the hardest hit. The report compounds what international organisations including the World Bank have said, that soaring food prices could trigger social unrest across the MENA region. Rising food prices played a central role in the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. The cost of living was already being driven up by climate change, conflict and COVID-19. According to the Civil Unrest Index Projections, over half the world already experienced a rise in civil unrest since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Eighty per […]]]> 554767 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220510-saudi-arabia-names-lionel-messi-as-tourism-ambassador/ Tue, 10 May 2022 11:05:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=554419 Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib announced on Monday the appointment of Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina footballer Lionel Messi as the Kingdom's official "tourism ambassador". "Today, I am pleased to welcome Lionel Messi to Saudi Arabia," wrote Ahmed Al-Khatib on Twitter. "We are excited for you to explore the treasure of the Red Sea, the Jeddah Season and our ancient history. This is not his first visit to the Kingdom and it will not be the last." Messi, 34, has a strong friendship with Turki Al-Sheikh, the head of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. The footballer arrived in Jeddah on Monday accompanied by a group of friends. He transferred to Paris Saint-Germain Football Club from FC Barcelona last year. […]]]> 554419 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220508-remembering-11-days-of-endless-resistance-in-the-gaza-strip/ Sun, 08 May 2022 10:02:12 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=554157 What: The 2021 Gaza War was the fourth war that the Israeli occupation has launched on Gaza since Hamas seized control in 2007. The Israeli forces launched the gravest war on Gaza with eleven days of intense bombings on the Gaza Strip. Civilians were killed and injured, tens of thousands displaced, homes and vital infrastructure destroyed and the supply of basic services severely disrupted. Where: The Gaza Strip When: 10-21 May, 2021. What happened? Since 13 April, 2021, tension has prevailed across the occupied territories because of Israeli attacks and restrictions on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, in addition to the Israeli court's decision to evict 12 Palestinian families from their homes in favour of Israeli settlers. Palestinian families facing forcible […]]]> 554157 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220418-argentina-muslims-condemns-israeli-raids-on-al-aqsa-mosque/ Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:35:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=549443 The Islamic Centre of Argentina condemned on Sunday Israeli aggression on Palestinians and its raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, Quds Press reported. In a statement, the centre declared its solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have been under Israeli attacks during holy month of Ramadan. The centre called on the Argentinian government, as well as the international bodies to condemn the Israeli aggression and "exercise their power to end the inhumane and illegal practices, which violate all the international resolutions and conventions." According to the statement, the centre warned of the "escalation" of the "brutal attacks" in Jerusalem and Palestine in the coming days "should the world remain silent." READ:  Argentina moves to sanction UK, Israel companies for […]]]> 549443 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220414-the-role-of-dabke-in-preserving-palestinian-culture-in-argentina/ Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:30:44 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=548691 Being a Palestinian refugee is not a matter of choice, but working for Palestine is. Millions of Palestinians have found themselves uprooted following the Nakba in 1948 and the 1967 June War. Argentina is one of the countries which now have a Palestinian diaspora community as a result. Displacement and trying to adapt to a new country makes the preservation of culture and heritage very important. The performance of traditional dabke dancing is part of the process of preserving Palestinian identity. What does dabke mean to Palestinians in the diaspora? For Christian Abu Ghattas, the director of Jabal Al Zaitun, Argentina's dabke group that explores identity, culture and resistance through dance, performances enable Palestinian refugees to feel more connected with […]]]> 548691 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211211-argentina-hundreds-apply-for-symbolic-palestine-citizenship/ Sat, 11 Dec 2021 16:15:13 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=519014 Hundreds of Argentinians lined up at the Embassy of Palestine in Buenos Aires to submit applications for Palestinian citizenship. The "I want to be a Palestinian" campaign was carried out in support of the Palestinian people. Many activists of human rights organisations, civil society institutions, a number of parliament members and representatives of political parties came and participated in the campaign to express their solidarity and support for Palestine. The initiative was driven by the Argentine Committee of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, with the collaboration of the Argentine League for Human Rights, among other organisations, to symbolically request Palestinian nationality. The doors to the headquarters of the Palestinian Embassy and its consulate were opened to receive citizens and inhabitants […]]]> 519014