A draft resolution in support of the Israeli occupation was thwarted by the Lebanese mission to UNESCO in Paris.

The official Lebanese mission to UNESCO in Paris, and the Lebanese Minister of Culture Judge Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada, stated that “the United States and some Zionists today fiercely sought to announce decisions that serve Israel,” stressing that “the official Lebanese delegation confronted them and aborted their efforts."

Al-Murtada asserted that “the blood of Gaza triumphs over the arrogance of distorting the Palestine clause in UNESCO."

Al-Murtada's statement explained that "the deliberations witnessed desperate American attempts, through Ambassador Michelle Sison, her team, and some Zionists, to amend the basic draft resolution, by adding paragraphs accusing the Palestinian resistance of terrorism and calling for 'Israel's' right to defend itself, and to release Israeli prisoners unconditionally."

Al-Murtada stressed in the statement that “the official Lebanese delegation responded to these efforts over two full days, especially through Lebanon’s speech at the General Conference, which made many delegations turn to side with Palestine.”

ولّى زمن التبعية والإنبطاح والهزائم...إنّه زمن انتصار فلسطين!
الوفد الرسمي اللبناني يسهم في اجهاض مساعي الولايات المتحدة وبعض المتصهينين لإصدار مقرّرات تخدم إسرائيل وتصف المقاومة الفلسطينية بالإرهاب وتدعو إلى تسليم الأسرى بدون قيد او شرط.
وكل الفخر بوفد لبنان الرسمي إلى… pic.twitter.com/TxMplzvAxd

— القاضي محمد وسام المرتضى وزير الثقافة (@JugeMMourtada) November 10, 2023

He pointed out that "the efforts and interventions in the specialized committee session, which were attended by the Permanent Representative of Lebanon, Nadim Sourati, the Minister's Advisor, and member of the National Committee for UNESCO, Ronnie Alva, paved the way and established this diplomatic and political victory over Zionism, its sponsors, and its tools."

He concluded the statement of the Lebanese Minister of Culture, directing his appreciation and congratulations to all heads of Arab and non-Arab delegations that “believe in the Palestinian right and in the oppression of the proud people of Palestine.”

France proposes law to sanction anti-Zionism

In an effort to silence pro-Palestinian voices and pro-Palestinian activism, a group of 16 French senators, the majority of whom are members of the political party The Republicans (LR), submitted a bill, led by Senator Stéphane Le Rudulier, to make anti-Zionism a criminal felony.

Senator Le Rudulier claims that the surge in anti-Semitism is linked to anti-"Israel" sentiment.

The proposed bill, which was introduced to the Senate for a first reading, includes sanctions for numerous movements against Zionism and "Israel's" criminal acts. It intends to penalize anyone who denies the existence of the "State of Israel" with one year in prison and a EUR 45,000 fine.

Those who insult the Israeli occupation would face two years in prison and a EUR 75,000 fine, while those who explicitly incite hatred or violence against the occupation face five years in prison and a EUR 100,000 fine.

Furthermore, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, the world has to work on a humanitarian ceasefire as the only means of preserving life in the region. Macron criticized Israeli proposals to force residents into alleged "safe zones" in the southern part of Gaza.

In his address at the humanitarian conference held in Paris, Macron called the proposals a very bad idea that cannot guarantee the safety of those in Gaza. 

Nonetheless, attendees did express during the meeting support for a maritime humanitarian corridor connecting southern Gaza with Cyprus.

Macron aimed to consolidate some of the various national efforts that different countries have taken up to aid the people in Gaza and to step up the calls for a humanitarian ceasefire that the UN Security Council failed to support because of political divisions in New York and that the United States and "Israel" have repeatedly rejected.