25/09/2025

THURSDAY | SEPT 25, 2025

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Trump criticises moves to recognise Palestine

LONDON: Two thirds of US-based security chiefs at large technology companies say the threat of violence towards their executives has increased in the past two years, with many now providing protection for senior staff and their families. A survey of 2,352 security chiefs at large and medium-sized companies in 31 countries, conducted by US security and staffing company Allied Universal, found that businesses have faced increasing threats of violence, with the US technology sector the worst affected. Allied Chief Executive Steve Jones said that measures to protect executives have increased dramatically since last year’s high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson. “Since then, the number of executives being protected has doubled,” Jones said. “In the first six months of this year, we performed five times more assessments than in any previous full fiscal year.” Of all the security chiefs surveyed across multiple sectors, 42% reported a significant increase in threats of violence against company executives, rising to 66% for US-based security chiefs in technology companies. The Allied survey said that one factor driving threats was misinformation, with 75% of security chiefs saying their companies had been targeted by misinformation or disinformation campaigns that could put staff at greater risk. In response, companies are enhancing security procedures, carrying out risk assessments for leaders and monitoring online threats. – Reuters Threats against execs on the rise “unidentified objects” dropped on deck. “Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats,” said Polish lawmaker Franek Sterczewski, who is on board one of the vessels. The Greek coastguard said a European Union borders agency patrol boat had approached one vessel, and saw no evidence of damage. – AFP RECOGNITION ‘WHEN NOT IF’, SAYS JAPAN NEW YORK: Japan’s prime minister told the United Nations on Tuesday that Tokyo’s recognition of the State of Palestine was only a question of time, saying he was “indignant” at recent comments by Israeli officials. Shigeru Ishiba said: “For our country, the question is not whether to recognise a Palestinian state, but when. The continued unilateral actions by the government of Israel can never be accepted. I must state clearly that if further actions are taken that obstruct the realisation of a two state solution, Japan will be compelled to take new measures in response. As we invite Palestine to assume its role as a responsible member of the international community. The Palestinian side must establish a system of governance that ensures accountability.” – AFP AID FLOTILLA TARGETED BY DRONES ATHENS: Organisers of a Gaza bound flotilla carrying aid and activists said yesterday that several of their boats had been targeted by drones. The Global Sumud Flotilla said more than a dozen explosions were heard around the flotilla as it sailed off Greece late on Tuesday, with damage caused by

BR I E F S

o President wants to end Gaza war now

NEW YORK: President Donald Trump told the United Nations on Tuesday that he condemned moves by Western powers to recognise a Palestinian state, as the United States appeared increasingly isolated in its staunch support of ally Israel. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Trump said world powers should focus instead on securing the release of hostages held in Gaza, nearly two years after they were seized. Israel has drawn global condemnation over its military conduct in Gaza, which has caused major destruction and where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health authorities. A global hunger monitor says part of the territory is suffering from famine. France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal are among the countries that have recognised a Palestinian state in the last few days. Their moves were borne out of frustration with Israel over its offensive and intended to promote a two-state solution, but have angered Israel and its close ally the United States. “As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognise the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas ...,” Trump said in his speech at the UN. Trump later met leaders and officials from Muslim-majority countries – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia and Pakistan – to discuss the situation in Gaza. “It was a very successful meeting with all of the big players except for Israel but that’s going to be next.” On Monday, Axios reported that in addition to freeing hostages and ending the war, Trump was expected to discuss at the meeting US plans around an Israeli withdrawal and post-war governance in Gaza, without Hamas involvement. Washington wants Arab and NEW YORK: If President Donald Trump really wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize, he needs to stop the war in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday. Speaking to France’s BFM TV from New York, Macron said that only Trump has the power to put pressure on Israel to end the war. “There is one person who can do something about it, and that is the US president. And the reason he can do more than us, is because we do not supply weapons that allow the war in Gaza to be waged. We do not supply equipment that allows war to be waged in Gaza. The United States of America does,” Macron said.

Muslim countries to agree to send military forces to Gaza to enable Israel’s withdrawal and to secure funding for transition and rebuilding programmes, Axios reported. No matter how many countries recognise Palestinian independence, full UN membership would require approval by the Security Council, where the United States has a veto that it frequently uses to oppose resolutions that are critical of Israel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed the moves for recognition while speaking at the Security Council later on Tuesday. “This is the clearest path to a two-State solution: Israel and an independent, sovereign, democratic, viable and contiguous State of Palestine,” he said. “We must seize this momentum.” Israel’s military pushed deeper towards the most populated areas of Gaza City on Tuesday.

Trump speaks during the 80th UN General Assembly. – REUTERSPIC

A UN commission said in a report on Tuesday that the Israeli government had shown a clear intent to establish permanent control over Gaza and to ensure a Jewish majority in the occupied West Bank. – Reuters

Local health authorities said Israeli fire on Tuesday killed at least 22 people across the Gaza Strip, 18 of them in Gaza City, and the Gaza health ministry said hospitals in the enclave would run out of fuel in the next few days, endangering lives.

Displaced Palestinians move with their belongings southwards on a road in the Nuseirat refugee camp area in the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday. – AFPPIC

Stop Gaza war to get peace prize, US president told

asking its representatives to oppose raising a flag at the same time it’s recognising the state.” The city raised the flag in a ceremony on Monday but a day later, the Nanterre administrative court ruled it should be removed after the city defied an order by the regional representative, known as the prefect, to take it down. Under French law, public buildings cannot be used as platforms for expressing political, religious or philosophical opinions. Local officials noted, however, that Ukrainian flags have been displayed and even projected on the Eiffel Tower. – Reuters

In France, controversy raged over Palestinian flags raised on public buildings. Earlier this week, dozens of town halls across France hoisted the Palestinian flag in celebration – defying instructions by Macron’s Interior Ministry not to do so. Some had taken the flag down after regional authorities initiated legal proceedings – an episode some mayors said undermined the message of solidarity Macron sought to make with his recognition. “For me it’s a complete misunderstanding,” said Raphael Adam, mayor of Nanterre outside Paris. “You can’t have a government

Discussing Trump’s speech, Macron said: “I see an American president who is involved, who reiterated this morning from the podium: ‘I want peace. I have resolved seven conflicts’, who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if you stop this conflict,” Macron said. Several countries, including Israel, Pakistan and Cambodia, have nominated Trump for the annual prize for brokering peace agreements or ceasefires. Trump himself has said he deserves the Norwegian-bestowed accolade that four White House predecessors received.