标签： Asia

SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Yong Nam, a steadfast North Korean official who served as the nation’s ceremonial head of state for over two decades, has died at the age of 97, as reported by North Korea’s state media on Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim, who held the position of president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019, passed away on Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects by visiting Kim Yong Nam’s bier on Tuesday, expressing profound condolences.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized on Monday that a United Nations Security Council resolution is essential to authorize an international stabilization force for Gaza. He stated that Turkey’s decision to participate would hinge on this critical step. Fidan highlighted that countries considering troop deployment, as part of a US-brokered deal, are eager to first understand the mission’s parameters. ‘Countries want a UN Security Council resolution that establishes the force, defines its terms, and grants it legitimacy,’ Fidan explained during a press conference in Istanbul. This followed his meetings with foreign ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and representatives from the UAE and Qatar. Recent reports suggest Turkey is among the nations being considered for deployment, a proposal strongly opposed by the Israeli government. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently affirmed Ankara’s readiness to maintain the Gaza ceasefire, including potential troop deployment if necessary. Fidan stressed that participation would depend on the mission’s definition and scope, particularly its powers and rules of engagement. He also noted that countries might hesitate if the mission’s mandate conflicts with their principles. ‘We are ready to shoulder the burden for peace and make any necessary sacrifice,’ Fidan said, adding that Turkey is carefully examining the proposed framework to ensure alignment with its principles. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is reportedly exploring alternatives, such as Azerbaijani troops, to avoid Turkish involvement. Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since Israel’s military actions in Gaza began in October 2023, with Turkey imposing a trade embargo and joining a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

A British public relations consultancy, CMS Strategic, has been accused of orchestrating a media narrative linking Iran to the funding of Palestine Action, a proscribed direct action group. According to a report by Private Eye, Georgia Pickering, the head of CMS Strategic, allegedly claimed responsibility for placing a story in The Times about a Home Office investigation into Palestine Action’s funding sources. The article, which suggested Iranian proxies were financing the group, was published shortly before Palestine Action was banned under terrorism legislation in July 2023. The story was later amplified by outlets such as the Mail and GB News. However, the Home Office denied recognizing the claims, and Palestine Action dismissed the investigation as “baseless” and “ridiculous.” CMS Strategic also denied involvement in the Times article, contradicting Pickering’s alleged admission. The controversy emerged amid a broader campaign by pro-Israel lobbying group We Believe in Israel, which accused the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of being the “darker puppeteer” behind Palestine Action. The group’s reports, which influenced the language of then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s statement on the ban, lacked concrete evidence beyond claims of ideological alignment. Palestine Action, known for targeting Elbit Systems and its affiliates, including CMS, has faced increasing scrutiny in the UK.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has strongly criticized the Labour government following the release of new data showing a significant increase in UK trade with Israel during the ongoing genocide in Gaza. According to figures published by the Department for Business and Trade, trade in goods and services between the UK and Israel rose by £218 million (3.7 percent) to £6.2 billion ($8.15 billion) between June 2024 and June 2025. The Labour government, which took office in July 2024, has faced backlash for its continued economic ties with Israel despite the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Polanski, who recently secured over 80 percent of the vote in his party’s leadership election, described the situation as ‘totally unconscionable,’ emphasizing that the UK is ‘engaging in everyday business’ with an ‘apartheid state’ committing genocide. He called for an immediate ban on imports of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, labeling them as ‘proceeds of crime.’ Polanski also highlighted the importance of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) as tools to pressure Israel, drawing parallels to the global movement against apartheid South Africa. Labour MP Kim Johnson echoed these sentiments, expressing shock at the UK’s deepening economic ties with Israel instead of leveraging its influence to demand an end to the violence and breaches of international law. Johnson questioned the government’s inaction, stating that the UK has both the legal means and mechanisms to restrict trade from illegal settlements. Despite the UK halting talks on a new free trade agreement with Israel earlier this year, exports from Britain to Israel increased by £342 million (10.5 percent) to £3.6 billion, while imports rose by £124 million (4.6 percent) to £2.6 billion. The UK has also been accused of providing arms and intelligence to Israel, including components for F-35 fighter jets, which Israel has used extensively in its military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. The Labour government suspended around 30 export licences for UK-made arms last September, but F-35 components sent to a global pool, which could end up in Israel, were exempted. Middle East Eye, known for its independent coverage of the Middle East, has provided detailed analysis of these developments.