标签： Asia

A recent UN Security Council resolution endorsing former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza has been criticized as a breach of fundamental international law principles, rendering it legally invalid, according to a prominent international law expert. The resolution, approved on Monday, supports the establishment of an international stabilization force and grants Trump supreme control over Gaza, with a ‘board of peace’ overseeing the plan’s implementation for two years. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s involvement has also drawn significant attention. Ralph Wilde, a leading international law scholar and practitioner, argued that the resolution attempts to impose a ‘trusteeship’ over Gaza, a colonial arrangement that undermines Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Wilde, a professor at UCL and author of an award-winning book on international trusteeship, expressed dismay that his work is being used as a ‘manual’ for this trusteeship. He emphasized that trusteeship, historically used to justify colonial rule, contradicts the post-World War Two adoption of self-determination as a fundamental right in international law. Wilde further argued that replacing one form of trusteeship with another does not constitute self-determination and remains illegal. He noted that even if Palestinian representatives accept the plan, it would still be unlawful, akin to the Oslo Accords’ legitimization of certain aspects of Israel’s occupation. Wilde also highlighted that the UN Security Council’s authority is limited by the principles of justice and international law, and the resolution’s authorization of trusteeship is void as it violates these principles. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia.

During a high-profile visit to the White House, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faced intense scrutiny over the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The visit, marked by ceremonial pomp including cannon fire and a U.S. Air Force fly-past, was overshadowed by the unresolved controversy surrounding Khashoggi’s brutal murder. U.S. President Donald Trump, however, came to the defense of the crown prince during a joint press conference, dismissing the issue with a casual remark: “Things happen.”

Khashoggi, a former Middle East Eye journalist, was lured into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and killed by Saudi agents in an operation that U.S. intelligence believes was approved by the crown prince. When questioned about the incident, Trump downplayed its significance, stating, “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about,” and asserting that the crown prince had no knowledge of the event. The crown prince himself described Khashoggi’s death as “painful” and claimed that Saudi Arabia had taken steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Biden administration, in a 2021 report, concluded that the crown prince had approved the order to “capture or kill” Khashoggi, a claim vehemently denied by Saudi officials. Middle East Eye had previously reported that seven of the 15 suspects involved in the operation were part of the crown prince’s personal security detail. The assassination, which took just seven minutes, involved horrific details, including Khashoggi being dragged, injected with a substance, and dismembered.

In 2019, a Saudi court sentenced five individuals to death and three others to prison for their roles in the killing, though the trial was widely criticized as a sham. Reports in 2021 revealed that some of the convicted individuals were living in luxury at a government-run security compound in Riyadh, rather than serving time in prison. The killing strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though ties were eventually repaired in 2022. Ankara later transferred its own Khashoggi trial to Saudi Arabia, involving 26 suspects.

The Khashoggi case has also shed light on the existence of the “Tiger Squad,” a covert unit allegedly established by the crown prince to target Saudi dissidents both domestically and abroad. Despite the international outcry, the Saudi government has maintained its stance, and the crown prince continues to enjoy diplomatic support from key allies, including the United States.

The British government is reportedly contemplating a ban on the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to sources close to the administration. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer has indicated to Labour MPs that such a ban is desirable, though the final decision rests with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is currently hesitant to implement the measure. However, a ban is deemed likely if there is further expansion of settlements or an escalation in settler violence. This marks a significant shift from Labour’s previous stance, which opposed sanctions or boycotts against Israel. Ministers now acknowledge that a ban aligns with the UK’s position on the occupied territories. Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FASC), has long advocated for such a ban, arguing that permitting the sale of settlement goods undermines sanctions against settlers. A recent FASC report also recommended a ban on imports from illegal settlements. Labour MP Andy McDonald has pressed the government to enforce stricter measures, noting that existing checks and labeling requirements are insufficient. In May, the UK sanctioned several Israeli settlers and organizations supporting violence in the West Bank, followed by sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers in June. While the UK is unlikely to act alone, it may coordinate with allies like France or the Netherlands. Pressure is mounting within Labour, with MPs like Abtisam Mohamed and Bell Ribiero-Addy urging immediate action to comply with international law and support a two-state solution. A parliamentary bill proposing comprehensive sanctions on Israel is also gaining traction, citing the International Court of Justice’s 2024 ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation. Despite these developments, the UK’s trade with Israel has grown, with exports rising by 10.5% to £3.6 billion in the past year. The Labour government has suspended some arms export licenses but continues to supply components for F-35 fighter jets used by Israel.