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Australia recognises West Jerusalem as Israeli capital (Second Lead)

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Canberra, Dec 15 (IANS) Australia on Saturday officially recognized West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel after a period of consultations at home and abroad, prompting criticism from Palestine against the move.

“Australia now recognizes West Jerusalem, being the seat of the Knesset and many of the institutions of government, is the capital of Israel,” said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during an address at the Sydney Institute.

“We look forward to moving our embassy to West Jerusalem when practical… and after final status determination,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The country’s embassy, however, will continue to remain in Tel Aviv until a peace settlement is achieved and Australia will instead establish a Trade and Defence Office in West Jerusalem.

Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Secretary General Saeb Erekat decried the move, saying that Australia chose to join US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two other governments, voting against the two-state solution, Efe news reported.

“All of Jerusalem remains a final status issue for negotiations, while East Jerusalem, under international law, is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory,” Erekat said.

“Australia’s announcement to open a trade office in the city negates its very claim that it abides by UN Security Council Resolution 478, which refers to Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem as null and void and calls upon countries to withdraw diplomatic missions from the city,” the Palestinian leader added.

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee who sent a letter to the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, on Friday to urge him not to move the Australian embassy to Jerusalem, said that Australia has become “a partner in the war crimes that Israel exercises in the West Bank” with this recognition.

Morrison, in his address, also announced his support for recognising a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in the future and added that Australia was supporting “liberal democracy” in the Middle East.

The Saturday’s decision, he said, was in line with Australia’s commitment to the two states solution and its longstanding respect for UN Security Council resolutions.

He said that Jerusalem “deserves better than the rancid stalemate and better than the polarization that marks its peoples”, Efe news reported.

Morrison’s decision was also criticized by the opposition at home and rattled Indonesia, a historical ally of Palestine.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had earlier warned that recognizing Jerusalem could jeopardise Australia’s relationship with his country, which has the largest Islamic population in the world.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump’s administration shifted its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Guatemala and Paraguay followed suit, although the latter had reversed the decision soon after, following a change in government.

–IANS
soni/sed

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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