Beshara: Hopes for humanity amid the horror
Plus: Climate action where the world needs it most
Reviewing the week for good news is impossible without acknowledging the enormity and trauma of what has happened in recent days, in the decades before it and what continues to unfold.
There are no words that can convey the utter shock and deep sadness that many worldwide will feel for civilians in Gaza and Israel.
But with respect to the reasons you read this particular newsletter, I am directing you to the efforts being made to try to help the millions who are affected, before sharing stories of hope and progress from elsewhere in the world.
We are watching closely for negotiations on humanitarian corridors - the GCC, the World Health Organisation and the European Union are among those calling for the safe passage of necessities, such as food and water, from Egypt into Gaza.
The UAE has pledged $20 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and we heard from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Dubai, who told us: “We have fuel, we are ready to dispatch, but we need security to be able to get it to hospitals”.
Among his dispatches from Israel, our Jerusalem correspondent Thomas Helm tells us of the overwhelming volunteer effort - to give blood, to house the displaced, to dig graves - and, amidst it all, the solidarity he is witnessing.
While any update at all from tireless reporter Nagham Mohanna in Gaza is received with utter relief and the hope that her news will reach those who can influence the passage of that much-needed aid.
Read on for stories from across the wider region and the world.
Nicola Leech
Do you have beshara to share? Email me: [email protected]
Climate action where it counts
Leaders from across the Middle East were in Saudi Arabia for the MENA Climate Week - a major event in the run-up to Cop28 in the UAE next month.
The world’s biggest crude exporter hosted the meeting in its capital Riyadh and announced key climate goals and initiatives, signalling a commitment to the global push to reach net zero.
As the United Nations Climate Change body said in a statement, “countries in the MENA region have the potential to be the frontrunners in renewable energy and innovative technologies” and can therefore be “leaders in the global transition to green development”.
From a greenhouse gas credit system to a plan for electric vehicle infrastructure in the kingdom, read about the key announcements here.
A particular highlight among the speakers though was Aly Abousabaa. He is the head of a non-profit organisation, Icarda, and told of “truly revolutionary” yields from heat-tolerant varieties of wheat grown in Morocco, raising hopes for water-stressed countries across the world. Read more here.
QUOTED
领英推荐
‘In an unprecedented act of generosity, he secretly gave away nearly all of his wealth in the early 1980s to advance opportunities and better outcomes for those who are unfairly disadvantaged or vulnerable to life’s circumstances’
– Peter Smitham, a former board chairman of The Atlantic Philanthropies, pays tribute to the “James Bond of philanthropy”, the late Chuck Feeney
Bee calm, bee keep
“I was surprised at how calm I was feeling around bees and that’s where I realised this could help many people who went through similar experiences.”
Ali Alzein, a refugee forced to flee Syria, said he was left traumatised by the country’s civil war and the multiple times he was arrested for protesting.
His cousin is Ryad Alsous, who inspired the story for the bestselling novel The Beekeeper of Aleppo. Both of them were taught apiculture by their shared grandfather. Both now run beekeeping initiatives in the UK.
Alzein tells us how he has now helped hundreds of people - from refugees to people with addictions and trauma. You can read his story here and learn how he also hopes to help save bees in hot countries like the UAE.
Now, last but not least… Congratulations to our podcast team and host Editor-in-chief, Mina Al-Oraibi for winning silver at the Signal Awards 2023 for the ‘Iraq: 20 Years On podcast series’. Listen now or subscribe for later here.
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