Zakharova's Weekly Briefing--Selections: Part 1

Another Weekly Briefing by Maria Zakharova brings more revelations along with new questions and answers, the overall content being too long for most readers. What gets culled is judged to be not critical to the current world situation or connected in some manner. Those wanting to read or watch the video can do so by clicking the above link. As you’ll read, the topic of nationalism is raised but isn’t discussed as properly as it must. That will be the main point of discussion at the end of the selections. The Palestine Genocide is the hot topic currently along with related issues. The Moldovan election results surprised NATO. And there’s further attacks on the Russian Orthodox Church, this time in Bulgaria. Two educational events on the environment and astronomy were announced. And a unique list of international treaties compiled by the MFA was published. The Q&A section is quite long and most are valid. They will fill Part 2 of this report. And now those selections:

Developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone

We are following the developments in the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation zone with growing concern. The death toll from the fighting in the Gaza Strip continues to rise. Since the beginning of the escalation on October 7, more than 10,000 Palestinians and 1,500 Israelis have been killed. The vast majority are civilians.

Against this backdrop, a real humanitarian catastrophe, a tragedy of global proportions, is unfolding in the Palestinian enclave. According to the UN, almost half of residential buildings and vital civilian infrastructure were completely destroyed or damaged by Israeli air strikes. The Gaza Strip has been subjected to a severe blockade, which has primarily affected the civilian population. There is an acute shortage of fuel, food and medicine in Gaza. The shortage of clean water threatens a sharp deterioration of the sanitary and epidemiological situation.

We would also like to draw attention to the dangerous developments in the situation in the West Bank, which has been overshadowed by the tragic events in Gaza. We are deeply concerned about the information coming from there about the increasing number of clashes between Israeli security forces and settlers, on the one hand, and local residents, on the other. Since October 7, more than 150 Palestinians, including more than 40 children, have been killed as a result of violence in this part of the occupied territories.

Once again, we stress the inconsistency of the logic of escalating the conflict. We see how strong the idea is in the West to disavow in every possible way the philosophy promoted by the majority of people in the world – the philosophy of peace and stability in this region.

We understand that the early establishment of a long-term ceasefire in the conflict zone would make it possible to avoid new casualties, ensure the provision of the necessary humanitarian assistance and assistance to the population of Gaza and put a barrier in the way of the further escalation of armed confrontation and the involvement of new regional participants in it.

We welcome the beginning of the process of foreign citizens leaving the Gaza Strip for entering Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. I can confirm that everything is ready for the evacuation of Russians and compatriots who have turned to us for help to leave the region. We were also contacted by citizens of other CIS countries. The lists have been compiled and handed over to all those involved in evacuation issues in the region. We cannot understand why the process is not being unblocked, despite our prompt actions and our compliance with all the requirements and conditions determined by the parties for security purposes. We see the efforts made by our representatives – ambassadors and diplomats in the region, in particular, in Israel.

We know that the Israeli side has given diplomatic assurances to our Ambassador to Israel Alexander Viktorov regarding the speedy unblocking of this process. We were really shocked to hear yesterday the statements of the Israeli Ambassador to Moscow that it could take up to two weeks to agree on the Russian lists. This is invalid logic. We will continue to work in close coordination with all parties involved. When I say "we", I am referring to all Russian government agencies involved in the evacuation work. First of all, the Emergencies Ministry and other agencies – the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Air Transport Agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry, our foreign missions in the region, etc.

As part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population of the Gaza Strip, on November 3 and 4 of this year, Russian Emergencies Ministry planes delivered new batches of food and medicine from our country to Egypt for the Palestinians. Assistance to the residents of the besieged enclave also comes from other states and organizations. However, what can be imported through the Rafah checkpoint is sorely lacking. We look forward to increasing the volume of humanitarian supplies, which are so important and necessary for the Palestinian population.

Along with resolving the urgent tasks of de-escalating the situation, we believe it is urgent to start taking steps aimed at creating conditions for restarting a full-fledged political process in the interests of a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian problem on the well-known international legal basis. In this regard, we would like to remind you of Russia's initiative to organise ministerial consultations to coordinate the approaches of the countries of the region that support the two-state formula for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

On the rise of nationalism in the world

The catastrophe in the Middle East, which the whole world is now witnessing, is the time when we must consolidate our efforts. If, through the fault of the West, it is not possible to do this in the field of a political settlement of the situation, then it is necessary at least to stop the nationalism that is growing around the world.

We see a colossal increase in anti-Semitism in NATO countries and an uncontrolled growth of nationalism in general. All this is "poured out" on the streets, in the media, and on social networks. It snowballs as it goes. The international community should make joint collective efforts at international venues, in the country format, within the framework of regional relations and bilateral contacts to prevent the growth of nationalism and stop its manifestations.

However, against the backdrop of the catastrophe, we see another information campaign against our country, accusing us of either nationalism and anti-Semitism, or that Russia is behind anti-Semitism inside France and other countries. This is a monstrous lie. There is now a breeding ground for it, which NATO ideologues have taken advantage of.

On the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States

The course taken by the current US administration in the framework of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is beginning to have a negative impact on the domestic political situation in the United States. Behind this are their blunders and mistakes. The same can be said about other NATO states. It is becoming more and more obvious to the American public that instead of coming up with reasonable initiatives that would help de-escalate tensions, the country's leadership is pushing the region towards a major war with its ill-considered actions to "rebuild" the Middle East.

This foreign policy line of Washington not only receives condemnation from the Middle Eastern states, but also has a projection on the domestic political situation in the United States itself (and other NATO countries). There has been an unprecedented increase in anti-Semitism in decades, with the number of incidents involving Jew-hatred quadrupling in recent weeks.

U.S. officials are also forced to admit the problem. We have taken note of the statement by White House Press Secretary Christine Jean-Pierre, who during a briefing on October 30 pointed to the presence of anti-Semitic sentiments in American schools and universities. This is a massive trend that is growing exponentially. But we need to see the root of the evil, to admit that the American policy of permissiveness, impunity and its own greatness in the form of the concept of exceptionalism has led to this. Contrary to the international legal basis for the settlement, the opinion of the neighbouring countries of Israel and Palestine, and the logic of the historical process, they literally pushed their vision of how to develop this region.

In seeking to protect its own geopolitical interests by any means, Washington has long forgotten about the norms of morality. On the one hand, he is trying to calm down the rampant nationalism, anti-Semitism and Judeophobia in his country, trying not to harmonize (this is far from happening), but at least to bring his national policy into line. At the same time, on the other hand, it does not condemn the publication of calls to "kill Russians" on American social networks and Internet platforms. The Meta corporation (recognized as extremist) has agreed that it considers such calls to be justified, and is not going to block, label or moderate them in any way.

Over the years, no one in the United States has said that this will lead to the incitement of not only anti-Russian and Russophobic sentiments, but also give the green light to nationalism globally, primarily within the United States. Why doesn't the White House want to remember this now? Not a word was said when there were cases of incitement to violence, murder and reprisals against representatives of another country and people (Russia is a multinational state) on American social networks. They did not take the side of the protection of human rights and basic humanity. This became the "fodder" for the further growth of nationalism.

In their unsuccessful attempts to regain their status as the world's policeman, which they lost after the failure of US policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US authorities are facing the consequences of the "Pandora's box" they opened in the past – the rampant neo-Nazi manifestations in various regions of the world, which, as news from the United States shows, has infected America itself.

Update on Moldova

On November 5 of this year, the first round of general local elections was held in the republic. We have already commented on its results.

Despite an unprecedented campaign of repression against the opposition and independent media, blackmailing voters and banning competitors in the run-up to the vote, the ruling pro-Western Action and Solidarity party performed poorly. Its representatives did not manage to win mayoral seats in large cities, nor to gain a majority of votes in district councils and municipalities. The opposition, on the contrary, has strengthened its position.

In Moldova, the results of the vote have already been called a de facto vote of no confidence in the anti-democratic and anti-people course of the country's leadership.

It seems that official Chisinau is not going to draw conclusions, continuing the policy of suppressing any dissent in an absolutely totalitarian manner. Where is the "European tolerance" that the Moldovan authorities have put at the forefront? Where is the recognition of the opposition's victory? For this purpose, they broke everything that was created by the citizens of the country: so that there would be democracy, liberal values, the spirit of Western liberalism would float freely over the territory of the country. Now there is a chance to demonstrate this. But no.

On November 7 of this year, it became known that the Central Election Commission of Moldova suspended the opposition candidate for the post of mayor of Balti from participating in the second round of voting, scheduled for November 19. There are also reports of attempts by the authorities to cancel the results of the elections in Orhei. In both cities, candidates from the ruling party were among the outsiders.

The policy of political and financial pressure on Gagauzia continues, where the opposition won in two rounds of elections on April 30 this year and May 14 this year. Not so long ago, the leadership of the autonomy announced the conclusion of contracts for the supply of gas to the region at a cheaper price than for other regions of the country. Official Chisinau immediately announced that this gas would be "redistributed". Then you have to call it in Romanian correctly – requisitioned.

One should not expect anything else from the current Moldovan leadership, which has made the artificial escalation of Russophobia and the incitement of nationalism the only theme of its rule. The people of Moldova see this and give a proper assessment of the actions of the authorities.

Bulgaria's intention to challenge Russia's ownership of the Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker in Sofia

On November 1 of this year, Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor Boris Sarafov announced that he had identified "circumstances" that allegedly made it possible to file a lawsuit to recognise the Bulgarian side's ownership of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Sofia (the Metochion of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia) and the land under it.

This temple was erected in 1907-1911 as a church of the embassy of the Russian Empire. The construction was carried out by Russian architects at the expense of the Russian treasury. The provision of such an opportunity by the local authorities reflected their appreciation for Russia's decisive contribution to the liberation of Bulgaria and the restoration of its statehood.

Attacks on the Metochion as part of a foreign-inspired campaign to destroy Russian-Bulgarian ties in all spheres (from state to religious) began in September of this year with the expulsion from Bulgaria of Russian clergy who served in the church. The idea of appropriating it, immediately voiced by pro-American Bulgarian politicians, ran into a legal obstacle in the form of a notarial deed issued by the Bulgarian side to our Embassy in 1997, confirming the ownership of the church and a plot of land.

As is often the case in the "liberal community", which should have been based on the principles of freedom, equality before the law, democracy, and consideration of different opinions, the prosecutor's office was involved in working out the political order, which has actually lost its position as a body for ensuring the rule of law and serves the interests of the ruling elite. As a result, a situation has arisen where, contrary to logic and the law, a pseudo-legal framework is being invented in order to seize the Russian object. History, laws, documents, justice, logic – everything cries out that the Bulgarian authorities are committing acts of lawlessness and behaving blasphemously.

We consider the threat of usurpation of the church as an open manifestation of hostility, a blatant violation of moral foundations and legal norms, including Sofia's obligations under the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Bulgaria of August 4, 1992.

We warn the Bulgarian authorities of responsibility for their illegal actions.

On the V All-Russian Environmental Dictation

From November 9 to 26, an important educational event will be held - the All-Russian Environmental Dictation. This year it is held for the fifth time. The project is aimed at popularizing environmental knowledge among our citizens, as well as increasing the level of environmental literacy.

Traditionally, this event is held both online on the Ecodictant.rus portal and offline platforms. Residents of all constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as compatriots living abroad, can take part in it.

Currently, the Ecodictation is one of the largest educational projects. In 2022, it was held in 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and 173 foreign countries, and the number of participants reached 4.2 million on 3916 offline platforms.

The V Anniversary Eco-Dictation in 2023 is traditionally timed to coincide with World Recycling Day. This year, it is planned to significantly increase the number of participants at the expense of residents of new regions of Russia - the LPR, DPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

We invite everyone to take part in this event, and media representatives to cover all this.

The Open International Astronomy Olympiad

From 14 to 22 November, the second Open International Astronomy Olympiad will be held at the Sirius Federal Territory. The event was organized by the Educational Center of the Sirius Federal Territory with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Along with Russian schoolchildren, their peers from Abkhazia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Mongolia, Peru, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will take part in the event.

The Olympiad is aimed at identifying, supporting and developing children's abilities, realizing their intellectual and personal potential, and assisting in establishing youth and academic contacts. This event confirms the leading role of the Sirius Educational Center in the formation of new approaches to education, the development of "talent pedagogy" both in Russia and in the world as a whole.

Publication on the Foreign Ministry's website of a list of international treaties without the participation of the United States

We constantly draw the attention of the public to the fact that the United States regularly violates international law. Washington, even after signing and ratifying international treaties, subsequently does not comply with them, implements them selectively or distorts them.

Over the past decades, the United States has consistently replaced international law with the concept of a "rules-based world order." They prove that this is the way it should be. This vague formulation has become firmly established in the everyday life of Western politicians.

The concept was put forward by Washington as a convenient and, in fact, non-binding "alternative" to international law as opposed to the universal principles of international law, enshrined primarily in the UN Charter. The West carefully avoids deciphering its "rules", as well as questions about why they are needed, if there are thousands of instruments of international law to which members of the international community have signed and which contain clear obligations of states and transparent mechanisms for verifying their implementation. They were worked out by consensus or democratic procedures (voting) and were not imposed by force. Despite the declarative statements of some Washington politicians about their commitment to international law, in practice Washington's actions only undermine its foundations.

In confirmation of what we have been talking about for many years, we invite the public to familiarize themselves with the List of International Treaties Without the Participation of the United States, published on November 8 on the Foreign Ministry's website and on the official resources of Russian missions abroad.

It contains a concentrated list of agreements to which Washington is not a party. We believe that many of you will be surprised to discover the facts contained in the document, which allow you to look at the true face of the self-proclaimed "beacon of democracy" and "adherent of international law," as Washington positions itself. These are facts, data that do not contain emotions and points of view.

The very truth that everyone is looking for is available on the Ministry's website.

Here’s the list, which isn’t 100% complete. One very important treaty that’s missing is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was voted into existence by the UNGA on 10 December 1948, which the USA voted for and Truman signed but the Senate has never ratified it, and thus it carries no legal force within the USA despite it hammering the world on human rights. The terminology you’ll see below, “The U.S. has signed, not participating,” means the US Senate hasn’t ratified the treaty. As a few know, treaty ratification, like the UN Charter, is one method to amend the 1787 Constitution without adhering to that process as spelled out in the Constitution; the reason for that is what’s known as the Supremacy Clause which stipulates that all treaties signed AND ratified by the Senate become part of the supreme law of the land. The fact that the USA has violated the UN Charter daily since it came into force in October 1945 is the reason why I constantly and appropriately call it the Outlaw US Empire. And here’s the translated list that’s linked above, which will likely grow longer.

List of international treaties without U.S. participation

1. Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 2 December 1949.

Entered into force on 25 July 1951 and for the USSR on 9 November 1954; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

2. Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of 30 August 1961

Entered into force on 13 December 1975; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

3. Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966

Entered into force on 23 March 1976 and for Russia on 1 January 1992; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

4. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of December 5, 1979

Entered into force on 11 July 1984; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

5. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982

Entered into force on 16 November 1994 and for Russia on 11 April 1997; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

6. Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, of 15 December 1989

Entered into force on 11 July 1991; Russia is not participating; The U.S. is not a signatory, not participating.

7. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families of 18 December 1990

Entered into force on 1 July 2003; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

8. Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Landmines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) of 18 September 1997

Entered into force on 1 March 1999; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

9. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 6 October 1999

Entered into force on 22 December 2000 and for Russia on 28 October 2004; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

10. Civil Law Convention on Corruption of 4 November 1999

Entered into force on 1 November 2003; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

11. Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 18 December 2002

Entered into force on 22 June 2006; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

12. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance of 20 December 2006

Entered into force on 23 December 2010; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

13. Convention on Cluster Munitions of 3 December 2008

Entered into force on 1 August 2010; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

14. Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity of 26 November 1968

Entered into force, including for the USSR, on 11 November 1970; The U.S. has not signed and is not participating.

15. Inter-American Convention on Human Rights of 22 November 1969

Entered into force on 19 July 1978; Russia is not a party (the Convention is open to OAS member states); The U.S. is not participating.

16. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), of 8 June 1977

Entered into force on 7 December 1978 and for the USSR on 29 March 1990; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

17. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) of 8 June 1977

Entered into force on 7 December 1978 and for the USSR on 29 March 1990; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

18. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 18 December 1979

Entered into force, including for the USSR, on September 3, 1981; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

19. Convention on the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989

Entered into force on 2 September 1990 and for the USSR on 15 September 1990; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

20. Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, 22 March 1989

Entered into force on 5 May 1992 and for Russia on 1 May 1995; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

21. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty of 24 September 1996

Not in force; Russia has agreed to be bound; The U.S. signed, but did not agree to be bound.

22. Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of 11 December 1997

Entered into force, including for Russia, on 16 February 2005; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

23. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 13 December 2006

Entered into force on 3 May 2008 and for Russia on 25 October 2012; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

24. Arms Trade Treaty of 2 April 2013

Entered into force on 24 December 2014; Russia is not participating; The U.S. has signed, not participating.

25. Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems of May 26, 1972 (bilateral).

Terminated on June 14, 2002 (denounced by the United States).

26. Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of June 18, 1979 (bilateral).

Not in force; not ratified by the USSR; has not been ratified by the United States.

27. Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles of December 8, 1987 (bilateral).

Terminated on August 2, 2019 (denounced by the United States).

28. Treaty on Open Skies of 24 March 1992

Denounced by the United States, denounced by Russia.

29. Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court of 17 July 1998

The U.S. has notified of its intention not to become a participant; Russia has notified of its intention not to become a participant.

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