Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/352862
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 JULY 2014 6 News YESTERDAY, 79 academics from the University of Malta called on the government of Malta to condemn the Israeli aggression on Gaza. The academics echoed the call of seven Nobel Peace Prize winners, in- tellectuals and artists from the whole world for a military embargo against Israel. The statement signed by the aca- demics said that military trade and joint military-related research rela- tions with Israel embolden Israeli im- punity in committing grave violations of international law and facilitate the entrenchment of Israel's system of oc- cupation, colonisation and systematic denial of Palestinian rights. They urged the government to con- demn the Israeli aggression on Gaza and affirmed their support to the Palestine Solidarity Network (Malta) which advocates the end to Israeli oc- cupation and colonisation of Palestin- ian land. The network is against the system- atic oppression and dispossession of the Palestinian population at the hands of the Israeli state and its allies and champions the right of Palestin- ian refugees to return to their homes and lands, as stipulated by UN resolu- tion 194. It also calls for the dismantling of the current apartheid system that, with its practices of segregation and institutional racism, is denying the fundamental human rights of Pales- tinians in the Occupied Territories and of Palestinian citizens of Israel. The statement was signed by, amongst others, Claire Azzopardi Lane, Borg, MaryAnn Borg Cunen, Charles G. Bonello, Michael Briguglio, Maria Brown, Colin Calleja, Isabelle Calleja Ragonesi, Frank Camilleri, Rene Camilleri, Carmel Cassar, Ar- nold Cassola, Paul Clough, Maureen Cole, Mary Darmanin, Neil Falzon, Albert Gatt, Adrian Grima, Peter Mayo, Immanuel Mifsud, Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, Pierre Schembri Wismayer, Joseph Troisi, Olvin Vella, and David Zammit.. The University of Malta academics were not alone in their condemna- tion of Israel. They echoed the call of seven Nobel Peace Prize winners and other intellectuals and artists from the whole world for a military embargo against Israel. JURGEN BALZAN IN recent years, the Maltese gov- ernment's stance on the intransigent Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seen a gradual shift, from one of complete support for the Palestinian cause to a more balanced position. However, political analysts who spoke to MaltaToday have expressed their surprise and disappointment at the current government's reluctance to condemn Israel's fierce attack on the Gaza Strip. By yesterday morning, the Pales- tinian death toll rose to over 1,000, with a further 5,800 injured since the beginning of the attack on 8 July. On the other hand, rockets fired from Gaza into Israel have killed two Israeli civilians and a Thai migrant worker, while 34 Israeli soldiers have died in the field operation. Following the start of the offensive on Gaza, it took the Maltese gov- ernment over two weeks to issue a statement on the attack, with the foreign minister expressing "deep concern at the ongoing violence and the mounting death toll that over- whelmingly includes innocent Pal- estinian civilians." However, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has failed to express himself on the matter, fuelling suspicion of a major shift in Malta's traditional support for the Palestinian cause. This controversial stand followed a MaltaToday report, on Malta's per- ceived support for Israel's bid to win a seat for the first time ever on the United Nations Security Council. Foreign affairs minister George Vella, a long-time champion of the Palestinian cause, is thought to be opposed to any move to support Israel's bid, however the report has not been denied by the government. Despite Vella's opposition, it seems as though Prime Minister Muscat and other members of the govern- ment are not reluctant to support that bid, especially after recent de- velopments in Malta's relationship with Israel, which culminated in Muscat's visit to Israel late last year. Backing Israel would not only be problematic because two other Eu- ropean countries are also contesting the 2018 Security Council election but given Israel's continued defiance of UN resolutions over its illegal oc- cupation of Palestinian land, support for Israel would be controversial to say the least. Since 1972 the US has used its veto power at the UN Security Council 39 times to protect Israel from censure and despite strong condemnations from across the world, Israel to this day persists with its illegal occupa- tion and apartheid policies. If Malta does support Israel's bid Support for Israel's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council could have dire consequences on Malta's excellent relationship with the Arab world Shifting sands in Malta's Prospectus for Full Time Courses The Institute of Tourism Studies would like to inform prospective students that the Prospectus for Full Time Courses for the academic year 2014-2015 is available. Deadline for Course registration is Wednesday 6 th August, 2014 by not later than 13:00 hours. INFORMATION SESSIONS will be held in the Assembly Hall at the ITS Main Campus, St. George's Bay, St. Julians: Foundation Course in Tourism & Enterprise Certificate in Food & Beverage Certificate in Tourism & Hospitality HND in Hospitality Events Management HND in Food & Beverage Management HND in Food Preparation & Production HND in Tourism Information Systems HND in Hospitality Management HND for Tourist Guide 30 th July 09:30 30 th July 11:30 30 th July 13:30 31 st July 09:30 1 st August 09:30 1 st August 09:30 5 th August 09:30 5 th August 13:00 6 th August 09:30 www.its.edu.mt MINISTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Technical and Economic Evaluation of Potential Green Economy Actions The Ministry for Sustainable Development the Environment and Climate Change (MSDEC) is in the process of developing an action plan to support and incentivise the Greening of the Economy and is therefore interested in receiving Expressions of Interest from candidates who are willing to carry out technical and economic evaluations of one or more identified potential actions and initiatives for the greening of the economy. Submissions will be received at the Procurement and Supplies Directorate, at No 6, Qormi Road, St. Venera up to 10.00 am on Friday 8 August 2014. A sample Expression of Interest in PDF format is available for downloading on the Ministry for Sustainable Development the Environment and Climate Change website: http://www.msdec.gov.mt or collected from the said Procurement and Supplies Directorate. Further information and clarifications can be obtained through a request via e-mail on contracts.msdec@gov.mt. ! 80 academics call on government to condemn Joseph Muscat, with his Israeli counterpart, Benyamin Netanyahu