Politics
Who is Abe, the third prime minister in his family?
The veteran Japanese politician Shinzo Abe is a scion of a family well-known in the corridors of Japanese politics and diplomacy, and he held the position of Prime Minister
The veteran Japanese politician Shizo Abe is a descendant of a family known for its political and diplomatic circles in Japan, and he held the position of Prime Minister for two terms (2006-2007 and 2012-2020).
Abe was born in 1954 in Tokyo and came from a prominent political family. His grandfather, Kiichi Nobusuke, served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1957 to 1960, and his great-uncle, Sato Eisaku, held the same position from 1964 to 1972.
After graduating from university in 1977, Abe moved to the United States, studied political science at the University of Southern California, and in 1979 he returned to Japan and joined Kobo Steel Ltd., becoming active in the Liberal Democratic Party. In 1982 he began working as a secretary to his father, Abe Shintaro, who was then Japan’s foreign minister.
In 1993, he won a seat in parliament and held a series of government positions. He gained considerable support for his hardline stance toward North Korea, particularly after Pyongyang revealed in 2002 that it had abducted 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
Abe, who was deputy prime minister, oversaw the subsequent negotiations in 2003 between Pyongyang and Tokyo, and was appointed secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party. Abe's political power forced Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party leader Koizumi Junichiro to resign in 2006, with Abe succeeding him in both positions.
Abe became the country's first prime minister born after World War II and the youngest since the war.
He pledged to revise Japan’s postwar constitution to reduce the country’s military’s strict limitations on domestic affairs, and the then-powerful politician promised to strengthen the country’s pension and health insurance systems.
But his government was soon embroiled in a series of public gaffes and financial scandals. In addition, the administration was criticized for its slow response to the discovery that, for a decade, the government had been mishandling the pension records of millions of citizens.
In July 2007, the Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in the House of Councillors to a coalition led by the Democratic Party. In September of the same year, Abe announced his resignation, and Fukuda Yasuo succeeded him. However, he retained his seat in parliament but remained quiet for several years, especially after a coalition led by the Democratic Party of Japan took control of the government in 2009.
One of his first acts after his election was to visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a memorial to Japanese military dead that includes individuals convicted of war crimes during World War II, sparking loud protests in the Asia-Pacific region and further controversy over his views on the sovereignty of Pacific islands disputed between China and Japan.
In the December 2012 House of Representatives elections, the Liberal Democratic Party achieved a landslide victory and an overwhelming majority approved Abe to become Prime Minister, replacing Noda Yoshihiko, who had resigned from his post.
In 2014, Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party won by a large margin, ensuring he would retain the premiership. However, polls showed little enthusiasm among voters, but after the Liberal Democratic Party's strong electoral victory, the Abe administration actively pursued a review of the Japanese constitution.
Thus, in the same year, the Cabinet agreed to reinterpret the so-called “peace clause” in the Constitution, which paved the way for the ratification of bills in May 2015 that would make it easier for Japan to use military force if the country were attacked or threatened.
In August 2020, Abe announced that he would resign as prime minister due to recurring ulcerative colitis, and was succeeded by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and prime minister.
Politics
Israeli restrictions on Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan: conditions and permits
Israel will limit entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque to only 10,000 worshippers from the West Bank during Ramadan, imposing age restrictions, security permits, and digital documentation, amid Palestinian warnings.
Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday new and stricter restrictions on the access of Palestinian worshippers from the West Bank to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. Under the new decision, the number of worshippers allowed entry will be capped at 10,000 Palestinians, and only after obtaining prior security permits. This move has drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the holy city.
According to a statement issued by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), these measures followed a "security assessment of the situation," which resulted in the approval of daily permits exclusively for Fridays throughout the holy month. The age restrictions stipulate that entry is permitted for men aged 55 and over, women aged 50 and over, and children up to the age of 12, provided they are accompanied by a first-degree relative. All permits are subject to security approval.
In a procedural precedent, the statement indicated that worshippers are required to undergo "digital documentation" at crossings and military checkpoints, in order to guarantee and confirm their return to their places of residence in the West Bank at the end of the prayer day, adding a new procedural burden to the movement of people.
A huge gap between capacity and the allowed number
These restrictions create a massive gap between the capacity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the permitted number of worshippers. Estimates indicate that the Al-Aqsa compound can accommodate between 350,000 and 400,000 worshippers when all its courtyards and prayer areas are full, a scene familiar in previous years when hundreds of thousands of worshippers would flock to the site. Limiting the number to only 10,000 constitutes an unprecedented reduction that prevents the vast majority of Palestinians from practicing their religious rites during one of the holiest months for Muslims.
tense historical and political context
These measures are particularly sensitive given the spiritual significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first of the two Qiblas and the third holiest site in Islam. While Israel imposes security measures annually around East Jerusalem, the current restrictions come amidst complex regional circumstances. Palestinians and religious institutions in Jerusalem consistently warn that the intensification of these measures aims to alter the historical and legal status quo in the city and attempt to erase its Arab and Islamic identity.
It is worth noting that the international community does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980 and considers it occupied territory since 1967, in accordance with international law. Palestinians maintain their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, asserting that freedom of worship and access to holy sites are fundamental rights guaranteed by international law and should not be subject to Israeli security considerations or used as a political bargaining chip.
Politics
An armed man in military uniform was arrested near the Capitol before the State of the Union address
Capitol Police arrested a young man armed with a rifle and military gear who attempted to approach the Capitol building, a week before President Trump's State of the Union address. Details of the incident are available here.
In a security incident that triggered a state of alert in the US capital, Washington, the Capitol Police announced the thwarting of a possible attempt to threaten security near the Congress building, where security personnel were able to arrest an armed young man who was carrying a rifle and military equipment, at a very sensitive time in the American political arena.
In details of the incident revealed by Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan, authorities arrested an 18-year-old man after he suddenly ran toward the Capitol building carrying a loaded rifle. Sullivan explained that the suspect arrived at the scene in a white Mercedes, which he parked near the Capitol complex before getting out and rushing toward the building. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no injuries, as the young man immediately complied with police orders to drop the weapon and surrender.
Initial investigations revealed disturbing details regarding the suspect's equipment; he was wearing a military jacket and gloves at the time of his arrest. A search of his vehicle uncovered additional gear, including a helmet and a gas mask, suggesting a possible premeditated plan or intent to escalate the situation. The ongoing investigation will determine the true motives behind this act.
This incident is particularly significant given its timing, coming just one week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress. This address is one of the most important political events in the United States, bringing together members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Supreme Court justices, and other high-ranking officials, which typically places the area around the Capitol under heightened security measures and exceptional protection protocols to ensure the safety of the nation's leaders.
This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., particularly around key federal buildings. For years, the Capitol Police have intensified their presence and defensive strategies to counter individual and organized threats, ensuring that security breaches that could jeopardize American democracy or the safety of lawmakers are not repeated. The swift response of security personnel in this incident highlights their high level of preparedness to address sudden threats.
Politics
The Crown Prince receives a message from the President of Kazakhstan to enhance bilateral cooperation
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message from the President of Kazakhstan concerning bilateral relations, which was received by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received an important written message from His Excellency President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The message focused on ways to strengthen and develop the close bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and to propel them towards broader horizons in various fields.
His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received the message during his official meeting today at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with His Excellency Yermek Kosherbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of joint cooperation and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.
The depth of Saudi-Kazakh relations
This message comes amidst the active diplomatic efforts underway in relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kazakhstan, two countries bound by deep-rooted historical ties based on shared values and mutual respect. These relations are gaining increasing importance in light of global geopolitical and economic shifts, as Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and a key strategic partner for the Kingdom in this vital region.
Prospects for economic and investment cooperation
Economically, the two countries possess tremendous potential for cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Both Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan are major global oil producers and active members of the OPEC+ alliance, which strengthens their joint coordination to ensure the stability of global energy markets. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 opens up vast opportunities for mutual investments in mining, infrastructure, food security, and renewable energy, aligning with Kazakhstan's development goals.
The importance of political coordination
On the political front, the exchange of messages between the two leaderships reflects a mutual commitment to continued consultation and coordination on regional and international issues of common interest. The Kingdom plays a pivotal role in promoting stability in the Middle East, while Kazakhstan serves as a vital bridge between Asia and Europe, making the strengthening of their partnership a cornerstone of security and stability in both regions.
The reception was attended on the Saudi side by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Dr. Saud Al-Sati, and the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Faisal Al-Qahtani, reflecting the high-level diplomatic interest in the outcomes of this meeting and the future steps that will result from it to strengthen the strategic partnership.
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