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Dutch PM to Skip COP29 Climate Summit Amid Probe into Soccer Violence

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Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced that he will not attend the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, choosing instead to remain in the Netherlands following recent violent clashes in Amsterdam between Israeli soccer fans and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The incident, which took place after a Europa League match where Ajax defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-0, is under investigation, with authorities looking into whether warning signs from Israel were overlooked.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Schoof cited the “major social impact” of Thursday night’s violence as the reason for his decision, noting that discussions on the issue will take place at the cabinet meeting on Monday. While Prime Minister Schoof will be absent from COP29, Dutch Climate Minister Sophie Hermans will attend the climate summit, which runs from November 11 to 22, with a climate envoy stepping in for Schoof.

Amsterdam prosecutors reported that four suspects remain detained on charges related to the violent unrest, including two minors, while 40 individuals were fined for causing public disturbances, and 10 others faced penalties for offenses such as vandalism. Officials anticipate additional arrests as investigations continue.

The events have drawn attention beyond the Netherlands, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visiting the country to meet with Prime Minister Schoof and Dutch officials. Saar also held discussions with Justice Minister David van Weel and Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, upon his arrival. Justice Minister van Weel informed parliament that authorities are examining whether the attacks were organized and if they may have been motivated by antisemitism.

Social media videos capturing the unrest revealed confrontations between riot police and demonstrators, with some individuals shouting anti-Israeli slogans. Additional footage showed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans using anti-Arab slurs prior to the match. As tensions escalated, Israel deployed planes to bring supporters home from the Netherlands.

The Palestine Football Association (PFA) condemned the violence, emphasizing that “violence and hate in all their manifestations have no place in sports.” In response to rising tensions, Amsterdam authorities imposed a weekend ban on public demonstrations and granted police expanded stop-and-search powers.

In recent weeks, antisemitic incidents have surged in the Netherlands amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, with multiple Jewish organizations and schools reporting threats and hate mail. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Schoof, have condemned the violence as antisemitic, stressing the need for swift justice.

 

COP29 Chief Executive Caught Promoting Fossil Fuel Deals, Raising Concerns About the Conference’s Integrity

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A senior official at the COP29 climate change conference, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been caught in a covert video promoting fossil fuel deals while using his position. Elnur Soltanov, the CEO of Azerbaijan’s COP29 team and deputy energy minister, was filmed discussing investment opportunities in the state oil and gas company, Socar, with a man posing as a potential investor. In the recording, Soltanov highlights the country’s many untapped gas fields and the potential for joint ventures, describing natural gas as a “transitional fuel.”

The secret footage raises serious ethical concerns, with critics calling it a betrayal of the COP process. Christiana Figueres, former head of the UN climate change body and architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement, called Soltanov’s actions “contrary and egregious” to COP’s purpose, accusing him of undermining efforts to combat climate change. She described the behavior as a “treason” to the COP process, which is meant to address the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, not facilitate their expansion.

Soltanov, who also sits on the board of Socar, was caught suggesting the fake investor could sponsor COP29 in exchange for discussions about oil and gas investments in Azerbaijan. Despite initially promoting “green transitioning projects,” Soltanov quickly shifted focus to the country’s plans to increase gas production and develop new pipeline infrastructure. He even implied that Socar could open doors for business ventures in the energy sector, including oil and gas, promoting the idea that the doors of Azerbaijan’s energy sector were “open” to anyone with solutions.

The revelation is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding COP hosts. This year marks the second consecutive year that the BBC has reported issues with the host nation’s behavior. Documents and recordings obtained by the human rights group Global Witness reveal the COP29 team discussing a sponsorship deal with a fictitious Hong Kong-based investment firm in exchange for access to the country’s oil and gas business.

The actions of Soltanov and the COP29 team, including offering passes for full access to the summit in exchange for support in energy investments, seem to be in direct violation of the UN’s code of conduct for COP officials. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) enforces these standards to ensure impartiality and prevent conflicts of interest.

Azerbaijan’s COP29 team has not responded to requests for comment on the findings. Meanwhile, Soltanov’s promotion of fossil fuel deals starkly contrasts with the goals of COP29, which seeks to reduce global reliance on fossil fuels and limit the effects of climate change. The incident also follows last year’s revelations about similar attempts at COP28, hosted by the UAE, to strike oil and gas deals, emphasizing the ongoing tension between fossil fuel interests and the global climate agenda.