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Riot police attempted to forcefully break up a pro-Palestinian protest on the University of California campus in Los Angeles following threats of arrests, just one night after violence was sparked by counter-protesters on site, leaving at least 15 protesters injured.
On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of officers in riot gear formed lines near the barricaded encampment, resembling a small tent city on the campus, where more than a thousand people are said to have gathered. At dusk, some demonstrators prayed, while others voiced their determination to remain in place.
An assembly of students, alumni, and local residents congregated on the campus steps next to the pop-up camp, offering their support to various speakers while singing pro-Palestinian chants.
Shortly before 2 am local time, police briefly made their way into the perimeter of the encampment only to retreat after being outnumbered by scores of protesters who yelled “Shame on you!” Some in the crowd tossed water bottles and other objects as dozens of officers ran back.
Later the crowd chanted “we're not leaving. You don't scare us.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather on the UCLA campus Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ethan Swope/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved
Protesters used protective gear such as helmets and headscarves. They reportedly discussed strategies for managing potential confrontations with law enforcement, including distributing goggles and surgical masks.
Amidst these preparations, those gathered rallied efforts to make homemade shields out of plywood in anticipation of potential clashes with the police.
Close by, a smaller group of students, displaying signs and giving out T-shirts expressing solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community, conducted their own counter-demonstration.
Police stage on the UCLA campus near an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian demonstrators Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles Ryan Sun/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved
Law enforcement intervention, enacted amid hours of unrest, was criticised by various political figures, Muslim student bodies, and advocacy organisations.
In the aftermath, community members voiced their support for the pro-Palestinian cause, emphasising the need for solidarity and action.
Police have deemed the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus an unlawful assembly, according to domestic press.
The incident at UCLA coincided with similar confrontations unfolding nationwide, including police interventions at other universities and the dispersal of protest encampments, underscoring the contentious nature of the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses.
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The Czech Republic celebrated the 20-year milestone with a star-studded ceremony at Prague Castle in the capital on Wednesday.
The central European country became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004 together with its Visegrád Four counterparts — Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland — and six other European states.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala reiterated Czech support for the enlargement of the EU to include the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova. "Some countries have been seeking entry for a very long time, and we must be transparent and not play any fake game with them. If they meet the conditions, the rules, then we should accept them," he said.
"Let us give them this chance and let us take advantage of the opportunities that enlargement will bring.“
Czech President Petr Pavel said the European Union is founded on a basis of "mutual respect" and shared interest. "Membership in the European Union and NATO is the unquestionable foundation of our freedom, prosperity and security," he said.
FILE - Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel speaking on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.AP
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also told the crowd that European states can respond collectively to threats against the union and that Ukraine is considered an "integral part" of the continent. "The states that want to live together peacefully and sovereignly in a united Europe can give an answer to this attack," he said.
"And the answer? We support Ukraine as an integral part of Europe and as a future member of [the EU]. And here too, our strength is acting together. We won't let ourselves be worn down or divided.“
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an impassioned video speech shown at the event, saying it is an "honour" and a "dream" for countries to be considered part of the European family. "Twenty years ago this dream became a reality for Czechia and I am sure it will soon become a reality for Ukraine," he said.
Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status. EU leaders and Kyiv are currently undergoing accession negotiations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also in Prague for the occasion. She spoke to reporters while touring the Czechoslovak Group company facility: a business specialising in the production of defence, aerospace, ammunition, automotive and railway industry products.
Czech military industry has been "crucial" in supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's ongoing invasion, von der Leyen said.
"They have delivered and are delivering the so much needed military capability to Ukraine so that Ukraine can defend itself against Russia's war aggression."
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Israel has re-opened the Erez crossing to allow aid more aid to enter the north of Gaza.
International aid organisations have reported a widespread humanitarian disaster in the strip, warning that hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza are at risk of famine.
"This is the first day that we re-opened Erez crossing for a robust and continuous route for entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza," said Colonel Moshe Tetro, the head of the COGAT Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza, "We are facing this challenge every day."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken posts about Gaza ceasefire deal
Earlier this week, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said there had been some progress towards averting "an entirely preventable, human-made famine" in the north.
The World Food Programme estimates around 1.1 million people across Gaza, around half of the population, are "struggling with catastrophic hunger and starvation".
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel had made "meaningful progress" towards getting more aid into Gaza.
He visited the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss ways to expand the humanitarian operation.
"One of the remaining challenges is making sure that when assistance gets through, it can be effectively distributed within Gaza. And we have to make sure that it's not interfered with or impeded by Hamas," he said.
Blinken, on his seventh diplomatic tour of the Middle East since 7 October, was making renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and an exchange of hostages for prisoners.
He urged Hamas to accept a deal presented by mediators in Egypt which would see 33 hostages held by Hamas released for a larger number of Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons.
A worker moves a pallet in an inspection area for trucks carrying humanitarian aid supplies bound for Gaza Ohad Zwigenberg/Copyright 2024 The AP All rights reserved
The deal also includes a suspension of hostilities with the possibility of steps towards a permanent ceasefire later.
Blinken said Israel had made "important compromises" with the latest truce deal and that Hamas "should take it".
Gallant stated his country was determined to secure the release of the hostages and warned the military was "preparing to carry out any operational mission in the Rafah area."