Wira Davis
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
What we saw today, both on the Israeli side and here in occupied Palestinian territories, were joyful scenes as families were reunited with their loved ones. At one stage, it looked like it might not happen because of Israeli government anger about the way the hostages were handed over in Gaza.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
They had threatened to delay, even postpone, the release of these 110 prisoners, but it eventually happened. It did happen here in the early evening and then it was slightly delayed for more, I suppose, acceptable reasons when thousands of people who had come to meet these prisoners flooded the streets of Ramallah and stopped the buses reaching their destination.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
But when they did, many of the prisoners, about 60 of them, were released into Ramallah, came off and were given a hero's welcome. Among them was one man who'd been arrested more than 20 years ago He'd never even been able to hug or kiss his youngest daughter because her mother was pregnant with her when he was arrested.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
And these are the kind of family reunions that made it a very joyous occasion. Less joyous, if you are an Israeli looking on, might be the sight of somebody like Zachariah Zubedi, who was a former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, convicted by Israel for his role in the deaths of many, many Israelis. He was freed today.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
into the custody of his family in Jenin, and he was carried aloft by his supporters here in Ramallah.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
Too early to say because I think it's been slightly overshadowed by these releases today.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
But UNRWA have been saying, you know, for many weeks now, ever since this Israeli threat, in fact, this new Israeli law had materialized, that it was going to severely affect their ability to offer all of the aid they do to Palestinian refugees, all of the schooling, all of the health facilities they run, not just in Gaza, but also, remember, in the occupied East Jerusalem.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
Israel can't really enforce that ban in the occupied Palestinian West Bank because Israel isn't the legal authority here. But in places like East Jerusalem and, of course, in Gaza, where there's a huge humanitarian need, the formal closing of underwater operations will lead, I think, to a worsening of the humanitarian situation.
Global News Podcast
Trump blames diversity policies for US air crash
And in places like East Jerusalem, you know, many of the Palestinian children who go to school or families who go to clinics are going to have to be provided with alternatives, perhaps by the Israeli municipal authorities.