Yuan Cadangan Mata Uang Global

PHOTO: IMAGES BY TANG MING TUNG / GETTY IMAGES

Sejumlah negara ramai-ramai untuk mengurangi ketergantungan penggunaan mata uang dolar Amerika Serikat (AS) atau USD dalam setiap transaksi. Gerakan ini pun terus menggema di sejumlah negara. Gerakan ini dikenal dengan istilah dedolarisasi.

Gerakan dedolarisasi muncul setelah perang Rusia dan Ukraina. Banyak negara menilai Amerika Serikat dan Sekutu bertindak semena-mena menjatuhkan sanksi ke pihak Rusia dan pendukungnya dengan membekukan cadangan devisa Rusia dalam bentuk valuta asing berupa USD.

Selanjutnya, banyak negara berkembang juga mulai menyadari pentingnya untuk menekan ketergantungan terhadap mata uang USD demi memperkuat peran mata uang lokal. Situasi ini diperparah dengan krisis ekonomi global yang mempengaruhi stabilitas mata uang karena bergantung pada kurs Dolar AS.

Alhasil, banyak negara kian aktif untuk mengurangi penggunaan mata uang Negeri Paman Sam (dedolarisasi). Bahkan, antar negara kini membuat kesepakatan penggunaan mata uang lokal dalam transaksi baik dalam hal perdagangan maupun investasinya, khususnya Yuan.

Lantas apa alasan kuat Yuan layak untuk menggantikan Dolar AS?

Menyadur laman South China Morning Post, hari Jumat, 18/05/2023, Yuan diprediksi sebagai kandidat utama mata uang pengganti Dolar AS di Masa depan. Hal ini tak lepas dari peran aktif Pemerintah China untuk terus meningkatkan penggunaan mata uang Yuan di luar negeri sejak beberapa tahun lalu.

"Beijing terus mengirim pesan yang jelas seperti yang telah terjadi selama bertahun-tahun, bahwa meningkatkan penggunaan mata uangnya di luar negeri, Yuan, adalah prioritas, terutama dalam menghadapi hegemoni dolar AS," tulis surat kabar asal Hong Kong tersebut.

Pemerintah China terus berupaya meningkatkan daya tarik Yuan sebagai alternatif dalam perdagangan internasional dan sebagai mata uang cadangan.

Alhasil, kini China mengalami peningkatan porsi mata uangnya yang digunakan dalam pembiayaan perdagangan, pembayaran internasional, transaksi valuta asing, dan aset cadangan bank sentral.

Apalagi, kini semakin banyak negara yang membuang surat utang US Treasury mereka, meningkatkan cadangan emas mereka dan menyelesaikan perdagangan bilateral dalam mata uang lokal.

Pada bulan Maret 2023, Yuan menjadi mata uang yang paling banyak digunakan untuk transaksi lintas batas di China, menyalip dolar untuk pertama kalinya.

Namun, capaian ini tetap sangat kecil jika dibandingkan dengan dolar AS yang ada di mana-mana. Tercatat, sekitar 90 persen transaksi valuta asing di seluruh dunia, menurut Bank for International Settlements.

Seiring pertumbuhan ekonomi China, ia mengambil langkah-langkah untuk mewujudkannya. Bisakah kita melihat peralihan dari dunia greenback ke dunia yang didominasi redback? Jika demikian, bagaimana dan kapan itu akan terjadi? Apa konsekuensinya?

kunci yang bisa dilampaui

• Saat ini dolar AS adalah mata uang global dunia, yang memberikan keuntungan ekonomi dan politik Amerika Serikat.



• Sebelum yuan dapat menjadi mata uang global, yuan terlebih dahulu harus menjadi mata uang cadangan yang dipegang oleh bank sentral di seluruh dunia.



• Di antara manfaat yang akan dinikmati China adalah biaya perdagangan yang lebih rendah, permintaan yuan yang lebih besar di seluruh dunia, dan berkurangnya kekhawatiran tentang nilai dolar AS dalam kaitannya dengan yuan.

Apa yang Harus Terjadi Terlebih Dahulu

China bekerja keras untuk menjadikan yuan sebagai mata uang global berikutnya. Meskipun saat ini merupakan mata uang cadangan, yuan tidak dapat mengungguli dolar AS tanpa beberapa skenario penting yang dilakukan terlebih dahulu, termasuk:

• Bank-bank sentral di seluruh dunia memilih untuk menyimpan total setidaknya $700 miliar yuan dalam cadangan devisa



• People's Bank of China (PBOC) mengizinkan perdagangan bebas yuan dan melonggarkan patokannya terhadap dolar AS



• PBOC menyampaikan secara terus terang tentang niatnya di masa depan dengan yuan



• Pasar keuangan China menjadi transparan



• Kebijakan moneter China dianggap stabil



• Yuan memperoleh reputasi stabilitas dolar A.S., yang didukung oleh besarnya dan likuiditas Treasurys A.S.

Bagaimana Tiongkok Mendapat Manfaat dari Yuan sebagai Mata Uang Cadangan

Sebelum yuan dapat menjadi mata uang global, yuan harus terlebih dahulu berhasil sebagai mata uang cadangan. Mata uang cadangan adalah mata uang yang disimpan dalam jumlah besar oleh pemerintah dan institusi sebagai pelengkap mata uang nasional.

Setelah yuan berhasil ditetapkan sebagai mata uang cadangan, itu akan memberi China keuntungan sebagai berikut:

• Lebih banyak kontrak internasional dapat dihargai dalam yuan, yang berarti China tidak perlu terlalu khawatir tentang nilai dolar.



• Semua bank sentral harus menahan yuan sebagai bagian dari cadangan devisa mereka, yang akan menempatkan yuan dalam permintaan yang lebih tinggi dan suku bunga yang lebih rendah untuk obligasi dalam mata uang yuan.



• Eksportir Cina akan memiliki biaya pinjaman yang lebih rendah.



• China akan memiliki pengaruh ekonomi yang lebih besar dalam hubungannya dengan Amerika Serikat.



• Itu akan mendukung reformasi ekonomi Presiden Jinping.

Bagaimana Yuan Menjadi Mata Uang Cadangan

Pada 1 Desember 2015, Dana Moneter Internasional (IMF) mengumumkan status yuan sebagai mata uang cadangan.2 IMF menambahkan yuan ke keranjang Hak Penarikan Khusus pada 1 Oktober 2016. Keranjang ini saat ini mencakup euro, yen Jepang, pound Inggris, dan dolar AS.

Mengapa IMF membuat keputusan ini? Para pemimpin China ingin meningkatkan standar hidup dan meningkatkan hasil ekonominya. Orang Cina telah mematok yuan ke dolar AS tetapi melalui pasak yang dapat disesuaikan, atau "pasak yang dikelola".

Patokan mengambang ini secara umum berada dalam tren menurun sejak 2015, menyiratkan bahwa yuan terus mengalami devaluasi terhadap dolar, sehingga membuat ekspor Tiongkok relatif lebih kompetitif terhadap harga dolar di seluruh dunia. Itu memungkinkan pertumbuhan ekonomi China melambung berkat ekspor berbiaya rendah ke Amerika Serikat.

Akibatnya, pangsa China dalam perdagangan internasional dan produk domestik bruto tumbuh menjadi sekitar 10%.5 Hal ini menjadi sumber gesekan perdagangan antara China dan AS.

Catatan :
Ketika perdagangan internasional tumbuh, begitu pula popularitas yuan. Pada Agustus 2015, ini menjadi mata uang keempat yang paling banyak digunakan di dunia. Itu naikdari posisi 12 hanya dalam tiga tahun. Ini melampaui yen Jepang, dolar Kanada, dan dolar Australia.

Bank sentral harus meningkatkan cadangan devisa yuan mereka untuk menyediakan dana untuk tingkat perdagangan tersebut. Bank sentral saja harus membeli yuan senilai sekitar $700 miliar. Tetapi bank tidak pernah membeli semua euro yang seharusnya mereka miliki, bahkan ketika Uni Eropa adalah ekonomi terbesar di dunia. Sebagian besar transaksi internasional masih dilakukan dalam dolar AS, meskipun perdagangannya turun.

IMF mengharuskan China untuk meliberalisasi pasar modalnya.3 China harus mengizinkan yuan untuk diperdagangkan secara bebas di pasar valuta asing. Itu memungkinkan bank sentral untuk menahannya sebagai mata uang cadangan. Agar hal itu terjadi, bank sentral China harus melonggarkan patokan yuan terhadap dolar.

China harus memiliki komunikasi yang lebih jelas tentang tindakannya di masa mendatang terkait yuan. Itulah yang dilakukan Federal Reserve terhadap dolar pada masing-masing dari delapan pertemuan Komite Pasar Terbuka Federal (FOMC).

Catatan:
Pada bulan Agustus 2015, PBOC melonggarkan nilai konversi yuan ke dolar.

Instead of a fixed exchange rate, the PBOC would set the yuan's value to its closing value on the previous day. Instead of rising, as many expected, the yuan fell 3% over the next two days.

PBOC menstabilkan tingkat. Sekarang memiliki kebebasan untuk membiarkan yuan menjadi alat yang lebih kuat dalam kebijakan moneter. Penurunan tersebut juga membungkam kritik terhadap reformasi China, banyak di antaranya adalah anggota Kongres AS.

Pada bulan Desember 2015, Bank mengumumkan akan mulai menggeser patokan dolar ke sekeranjang mata uang. Keranjang itu termasuk dolar, euro, yen, dan 10 mata uang lainnya.

Yuan Perlahan Diperdagangkan di Pasar Luar Negeri

Para pemimpin China mulai mempermudah perdagangan yuan di pasar valuta asing. Untuk melakukan hal ini berisiko sistem keuangan dan politik yang lebih terbuka. Pada 23 Maret 2015, Tiongkok mendukung Pusat Perdagangan Renminbi untuk Amerika. Renminbi adalah nama sistem mata uang China (yuan adalah nama dari setiap unit mata uang). Itu mempermudah perusahaan Amerika Utara untuk melakukan transaksi yuan di bank Kanada. China membuka pusat perdagangan serupa di Singapura dan London.

Mantan Walikota New York Michael Bloomberg adalah Ketua Kelompok Kerja Perdagangan dan Kliring RMB AS. Itu membuat pusat perdagangan renminbi di Amerika Serikat. Kelompok tersebut termasuk mantan Menteri Keuangan AS Hank Paulson dan Timothy Geithner. Pusat seperti itu akan menurunkan biaya bagi perusahaan AS yang berdagang dengan China. Itu juga akan memungkinkan perusahaan keuangan AS untuk menawarkan lindung nilai berdenominasi yuan dan derivatif lainnya.

Pada 8 Juni 2016, Tiongkok memberi Amerika Serikat kuota sebesar 250 miliar yuan, setara dengan $38 miliar, di bawah program Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor program Tiongkok.

Bisakah Yuan Mengganti Dolar?

Tingkat perdagangan bukan satu-satunya alasan dolar AS sebagai mata uang cadangan dunia. Kekuatan ekonomi AS menanamkan kepercayaan. Yang paling penting adalah transparansi pasar keuangan AS dan stabilitas kebijakan moneternya.

Di sisi lain, Stuart Oakley, direktur pelaksana Nomura, menunjukkan dalam sebuah artikel tahun 2013 bahwa Tiongkok memiliki $4 triliun hingga $5 triliun cadangan bank sentral yang belum dialokasikan dan ini bisa dalam yuan. Karena lebih banyak jalur pertukaran bilateral ditetapkan dan China melangkah lebih jauh ke jalur liberalisasi pasar modalnya, keinginan bank sentral untuk memiliki mata uang ini akan meningkat.

Mungkinkah ambisi China untuk menjadikan yuan sebagai mata uang dunia menyebabkan dolar runtuh? Mungkin tidak. Sebaliknya, itu akan menjadi proses yang panjang dan lambat yang menghasilkan penurunan dolar, bukan keruntuhan.

Russia reserves right to take any measures to neutralize threats from Ukraine — UN envoy

Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya
©EPA-EFE/JASON SZENES

Russia reserves its right to take all necessary measures to neutralize security threats originating from Ukraine, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said during a Security Council meeting.

"Russia reserves the right to take all necessary measures to neutralize the security threat. The goals of the special military operation will be achieved," he stressed.

He added that the West never remembers the protection of civilians and the norms of international humanitarian law in the case of the shelling of Donbass cities by the Ukrainian armed forces.

According to Nebenzya, "the Kiev regime's attacks on the civilian infrastructure and the civilian population of Donbass are a daily reality".

"Donetsk has been under constant shelling since 2014, and now there are daily reports of civilian casualties from there," the diplomat said.

"Western countries are well aware of this, but when it comes to these cities, they never think about the protection of civilians or the norms of international humanitarian law. They are not at all embarrassed by the fact that these attacks are carried out with weapons they supplied," he added.

China responds to Kissinger’s Ukraine proposal

China has urged against Ukraine joining NATO, saying it would not improve security in the region, after veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger claimed membership would serve the interests of both Kiev and Moscow.

Asked about Kissinger’s comments during a Thursday press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin argued that Ukrainian NATO membership would further inflame tensions in Europe.

“Ukraine should not become the frontier in a major power confrontation,” he said, adding that “to strengthen or even expand military groups is not a viable way to ensure the security of a region. One country’s security should not be achieved at the expense of the security of other countries.”

In an interview with the Economist published on Wednesday, Kissinger said European powers were pursuing a “madly dangerous” strategy by keeping Kiev out of the US-led military bloc, insisting Ukraine must not “become a solitary state just looking out for itself.” He claimed NATO membership would not only benefit Ukraine, but Russia as well.

“If I talked to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, I would tell him that he, too, is safer with Ukraine in NATO,” the 99-year-old added, saying the move would prevent Kiev from making rash “national decisions on territorial claims.”

The Chinese spokesman went on to state that a “durable European security architecture” could only be created through dialogue. During a visit to Ukraine this week, special envoy Li Hui met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba and other senior officials to discuss Beijing’s views on a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Beijing unveiled a 12-point roadmap for peace in February which urged both Moscow and Kiev to resume direct negotiations. President Putin later said the Chinese plan was “in tune” with Russia’s position and hoped the proposal could serve as the basis for a future political settlement.

Western powers have dismissed the 12-point plan, with the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell dubbing it “wishful thinking,” while the top advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky argued that it heavily favors Russia.

Direct Turkish-brokered talks between the two sides broke down in the spring of 2022. Since then, President Zelensky has ruled out any direct talks with Russia as long as Putin remains in power, and Moscow has rejected the terms for negotiations put forward by Kiev. Among other things, Ukraine’s proposal calls for Russia to withdraw its forces from all territories within Ukraine’s 1991 borders, to pay reparations, and to submit to war crime tribunals. Moscow has rejected the plan as “unacceptable,” pointing out that it ignores the reality on the ground and merely shows Kiev’s unwillingness to resolve the crisis through talks.

Chinese special envoy meets with Zelensky

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has met with China’s newly appointed special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, who traveled to Kiev to convey Beijing’s views on a diplomatic resolution to Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. 

According to a statement published on Thursday by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Li held talks with Zelensky as well as the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, Andrey Yermak, Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, and representatives from several other ministries.  

Beijing said both sides had agreed that the recent phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zelensky had outlined the direction for future relations between their two nations, which it stated should be built on mutual respect and sincerity.

During his trip, Li reiterated that Beijing is willing to serve as a peace broker to help reach a political resolution to the conflict with Russia, based on the principles outlined in a 12-point roadmap published by China in late February.

“There is no panacea in resolving the crisis. All parties need to start from themselves, accumulate mutual trust, and create conditions for ending the war and engaging in peace talks,” Li said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement.

The special envoy’s two-day trip to Ukraine is the first leg of a wider European tour, during which he is expected to visit Poland, France, Germany, and Russia. Beijing has explained that the trip aims to promote communication toward “a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”

China’s peace efforts have been welcomed by Russia as well as some European nations such as Hungary, and have been praised for acknowledging the national interests of both parties.

The roadmap, however, has been criticized by some in the West. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that China lacked “credibility” as it has refused to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell insisted that “the only thing that can be called a peace plan is Zelensky’s proposal.”

The Ukrainian president has demanded that Russia must withdraw from territories that Kiev claims as its own, as well as pay war reparations and face an international tribunal. The Kremlin has dismissed the initiative, claiming it does not take into consideration “the realities on the ground,” including the new status of four former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.

Arak-arakan Timnas Bersama Ribuan Suporter Adalah Kebangkitan Sepakbola Indonesia

Kemenangan Timnas Indonesia adalah momentum kebangkitan sepakbola Indonesia

Arak - arakan adalah kebangkitan sepakbola di seluruh Indonesia

Ketua Umum Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir mengatakan, kemenangan timnas Indonesia U-22 di SEA Games 2023 menjadi momen yang sangat bersejarah. Erick optimistis prestasi ini menjadi momentum besar bagi kebangkitan sepak bola Indonesia.

"Pada 20 Mei nanti bangsa Indonesia akan memperingati Hari Kebangkitan Nasional. Tepat hari ini, timnas Indonesia menunjukkan apa arti bangkit yang sesungguhnya," ujar Erick dalam akun Instagram, @erickthohir usai laga final antara Indonesia melawan Thailand di Kamboja pada Selasa malam, 16/05/2023.

Erick mengatakan, pertandingan final sangat menegangkan dan dramatis. Erick memuji mental penggawa timnas U-22 yang tidak goyah meski gagal mengunci kemenangan di waktu normal akibat gol pada menit terakhir dari Thailand.

Erick menilai, Rio Fahmi dan kawan-kawan menunjukkan karakter pemenang saat memasuki babak tambahan 2x15 menit dengan bermain tenang dan berhasil mencetak tiga gol tambahan.

"Di setiap detiknya, saya tidak berhenti berdoa dalam hati, memohon ridho Allah SWT untuk mewujudkan mimpi mereka, mimpi bangsa Indonesia. Sejak mendengar Indonesia Raya berkumandang di stadion, hati ini tidak berhenti berdebar. MasyaAllah," kata Erick.

Dia mengatakan, para pemain pantas dan layak menjadi juara. Erick juga menyampaikan terima kasih atas dukungan dan doa masyarakat Indonesia.

"Selamat merayakan hasil perjuanganmu, Garuda Muda. Mental pemenang telah membawamu terbang tinggi. Terima kasih atas dukungan seluruh masyarakat. Emas ini bukti bangsa kita adalah bangsa pejuang," kata Erick

Hal sama juga pernah disampaikan oleh pelatih Timnas U22, Indra Sjafri. Indra menyebut kemenangan Marselino Ferdinan dan kawan-kawan jadi momentum kebangkitan sepakbola Tanah Air.

"Tapi jauh lebih penting itu, bagaimana kemenangan emas ini jadi momentum untuk kebangkitan sepakbola Indonesia ke depan," jelasnya, pada hari Rabu, 17/05/2023.

Begitu juga yang disampaikan anggota Komisi X DPR RI Lisda Hendrajoni yang mengapresiasi Timnas Indonesia U-22 yang berhasil meraih medali emas sepak bola SEA Games 2023 Kamboja. Politikus NasDem itu mengatakan, kemenangan itu diharapkan menjadi momentum kebangkitan bagi sepak bola tanah air, pada hari Rabu, 17/05/2023.

“Berkat kerja keras pelatih, pemain, dan ofisial telah membuahkan hasil maksimal. Rakyat Indonesia saat ini bangga dan bahagia atas hasil kerja keras pemain dan pelatih,” ungkap Lisda kepada wartawan, hari Rabu, 17/05/2023.

“Semoga ini menjadi awal bagi kebangkitan sepak bola Indonesia untuk terus meraih prestasi, tidak hanya di SEA Games tapi juga Asian Games, Olimpiade, serta Piala Dunia. Sekali lagi selamat!" pungkas Politisi Fraksi Partai Nasdem itu.

Wakil Ketua Umum PSSI Zainudin Amali menjadikan keberhasilan Timnas U22 Indonesia meraih medali emas SEA Games 2023 sebagai momentum kebangkitan sepak bola nasional.

"Saya kira ini adalah kerinduan 32 tahun tentang prestasi sepak bola di tingkat Asia Tenggara dan ini artinya buat masyarakat Indonesia terutama bagi pecinta sepak bola yang sangat rindu dengan kemenangan ini," kata Amali dalam program Sapa Indonesia Malam Kompas TV, hari Rabu, 17/05/2023.

"Kami dari PSSI tentu hanya bisa memfasilitasi, memberikan dukungan, tetapi yang menentukan tetap anak-anak yang main di lapangan dan pelatih."

"Kita jadikan ini momentum kebangkitan sepak bola nasional. Apalagi pertemuan terakhir dengan FIFA, Pak Erick Thohir sudah menyampaikan roadmap dari (dan) ke mana sepak bola Indonesia ini kita arahkan," ujarnya.

Mantan Menteri Pemuda dan Olahraga itu berharap, dengan dukungan masyarakat, transformasi sepak bola yang sedang dilakukan PSSI bisa terus berjalan baik sehingga membuahkan prestasi bagi Indonesia di masa depan.

"Oleh karena itu, dukungan dan doa dari masyarakat Indonesia yang juga menentukan kemenangan ini, atas nama federasi saya ingin menyampaikan terima kasih kepada semua pihak, baik yang menyampaikan respons positif, maupun yang kurang," lanjutnya.

"Tapi itu menjadi hal yang membuat kita semakin bersemangat melakukan berbagai hal untuk transformasi sepak bola Indonesia ke depan," ujarnya.

Wow! Marselino Ferdinan Mendadak Jadi Reporter iNewsTV saat Arak-arakan Timnas Indonesia U-22

Gelandang Timnas Indonesia U-22, Marselino Ferdinan bikin heboh netizen Indonesia. Pemain KMSK Deinze itu, mendadak menjadi reporter iNewsTV, yang melaporkan suasana arak-arakan Timnas Indonesia U-22, hari Jumat, 19/05/2023.

Seperti diketahui, euforia meneyelimuti publik sepakbola Tanah Air. Bagaimana tidak, Timnas Indonesia U-22 berhasil menyabet medali emas SEA Games 2023.

Saat arak arakan, mereka diarak keliling kota Jakarta. Di tengah pawai itu, ada satu momen menarik terjadi.

Secara mendadak Marselino Ferdinan menjadi seorang reporter iNewsTV. Sebagai informasi, acara arak-arakan Timnas Indonesia U-22 memang ditayangkan live di iNewsTV. Di tengah keseruan, Marselino Ferdinan pun memegang mikrofon layaknya seorang reporter, yang menyampaikan laporan kejadian.

“Saya Marselino Ferdinan melaporkan di TKP. Di konvoi sangat-sangat ramai. Kira-kira anak-anak sangat nyaman. Kita bangga sekali bisa membanggakan Indonesia,” ucap Marselino Ferdinan dikutip dari TikTok @entaaentin

@entaaentin Membalas @elsanoviana37 reporter dadakan nih wkwk #marselinoferdinan #marceng♡ #timnasindonesia #beranda #entaaentin #timnasday #pssi #fypシ #xyzcba #fyp #xyzbca #seagameskamboja #fypdongggggggg ♬ suara asli - riska pake s

Sebelumnya, pawai Timnas Indonesia U-22 berlangsung sejak pagi pukul 08.00 WIB. Rombongan arak-arakan mulai bergerak dari kantor Kemenpora.

Kemudian rombongan menuju Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI). Selanjutnya berbalik arah kembali ke area Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Jakarta sebagai titik akhir pawai.

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Türkiye ‘strongly condemns’ raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque by fanatical Jewish groups

Fanatic Jewish settlers hold flag march in East Jerusalem ( Mostafa Alkharouf Anadolu Agency)

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday “strongly condemned” the raid by fanatical Jewish groups on the Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection.

“We strongly condemn the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque on 18 May by fanatical Jewish groups under police protection and their attempts to perform prayers in this area, violating once again the historical status quo at Haram Al-Sharif,” the ministry said in a statement.

Türkiye urged the Israeli government not to allow such “provocative actions.”

“We expect the necessary measures for the preservation of status quo in the holy places to be taken seriously and without delay," it added.

Hundreds of Israeli settlers on Thursday forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem were harassed, insulted and beaten by Israeli settlers and police during the provocative ‘flag march’ on Thursday. (WAFA)

This came as Israeli settlers prepared to celebrate the 56th anniversary of occupation of East Jerusalem along with their planned “flag march” to walk through East Jerusalem's Old City areas.

Earlier this week, Israeli extremist groups announced that they were seeking to mobilize nearly 5,000 Israeli settlers to break into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on the day of the “flag march” on Thursday.

The “flag march” is staged by Israeli settlers every year to mark what they call the unification of Jerusalem, in reference to Israel's occupation of the city in 1967.

Palestinians attacked as Israeli settlers stage ‘flag march’ through East Jerusalem

Thousands of Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem on Thursday, on the anniversary of the occupation of the eastern part of the city according to the Hebrew calendar.

The “Jerusalem Day” marches began at 2:30 p.m. and reached the Damascus Gate area. The marchers raised Israeli flags, danced, beat drums and sang songs.

Several senior Israeli politicians, including Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Transportation Miri Regev and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee in the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, took part in the so-called flag march.

Protected by Israeli police, the marchers assaulted and hurled insults at Palestinian citizens in the Old City and threw stones and waved sticks at press crews near Damascus Gate. They also called for imposing effective Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

More than 1,200 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa and raised Israeli flags, while police prevented people under the age of 50 from entering the mosque from the predawn prayer until after 3 p.m.

Palestinians said the march was designed to provoke them and wrest control of the eastern part of the city, something the Israelis have been unable to do for the past 56 years.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem were harassed, insulted and beaten by Israeli settlers and police during the provocative ‘flag march’ on Thursday. (WAFA)

Israeli authorities regard the more than 350,000 Palestinians who live in the east of the city as residents rather than citizens. About 20,000 Palestinians live in the Old City, alongside 1,100 Israeli settlers.

About 3,200 police imposed a tight siege on Jerusalem, especially in the Damascus Gate area, forcibly removing Palestinian men and women from the street and detaining some. They also restricted movement in the streets around Sultan Suleiman, Nablus and Al-Musrara.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned the march, describing it as “absurd” and “provocative.”

Palestinians in East Jerusalem were harassed, insulted and beaten by Israeli settlers and police during the provocative ‘flag march’ on Thursday. (WAFA)

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, said the Palestinian people had legitimacy in Jerusalem, not Israelis or Americans, adding that the flag march was Israeli provocation “that is condemned and rejected.”

He said the US administration “does not give legitimacy to anyone,” and its silence over the Israeli attacks encouraged the occupation forces to persist in their violence against Palestinian people.

Hamas spokesperson Abd Al-Latif Al-Qanua said the extremist Israeli government’s granting permission for settlers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and the flag march constituted provocation of Palestinians.

But the march and repeated incursions “cannot change the reality,” he added.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem were harassed, insulted and beaten by Israeli settlers and police during the provocative ‘flag march’ on Thursday. (WAFA)

Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza said the march was a failed attempt by Israel to impose its control and sovereignty over Jerusalem.

The march coincided with the 56th anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.

Imad Muna, one of the most prominent leaders of the Palestinian East Jerusalem community, told Arab News that East Jerusalem and the Old City were almost empty of merchants and shoppers on Thursday.

Even foreigners did not go to the area for fear of violence and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police who were deployed in great numbers, he said.

About 1,500 shops inside the Old City were forced to close their doors on Thursday to avoid being attacked by the settlers.

“The intensive Israeli security measures and the fear of attacks by extremist settlers paralyzed commerce,” Muna said.

He warned that if the Palestinians tolerated the march this year, then next year, instead of entering the Old City through two gates, the settlers would enter through seven gates.

After 56 years of occupying East Jerusalem, Israel had “failed miserably” in its efforts to Judaize it and tame the Palestinians, Muna said.

“What is the goal of this march, and what do they want to achieve through it? They are trying to prove something they are not convinced of.”

Disney cancels plans for $1 billion campus, 2,000 jobs in Florida

People gather ahead of the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 30, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) is scrapping plans to build a nearly $1 billion corporate campus in central Florida that would have housed 2,000 employees, according to an e-mail to employees on Thursday, against the backdrop of its ongoing legal battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Disney parks chief Josh D'Amaro said "changing business conditions" prompted Disney to reconsider its 2021 plan to relocate employees, including its Imagineers who design theme park rides, to a new campus in Lake Nona.

The company was expected to spend as much as $864 million on the project, according to the Orlando Sentinel, on a campus that would have served as a base for Walt Disney Imagineering and the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division.

Disney's decision to move the California-based Imagineering staffers across the country drew complaints from employees, many of whom said they did not want to move to Florida.

"Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with construction of the campus," D'Amaro wrote. "This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one."

A week ago, Disney CEO Bob Iger publicly questioned Florida's interest in the company's continued investment in the state. In a call with investors to discuss quarterly results, he noted that Disney employed more than 75,000 people in Florida, attracts millions of visitors each year to Walt Disney World and had plans to invest $17 billion to expand the resort over the next decade.

"Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes, or not?," Iger asked.

DeSantis's press secretary, Jeremy T. Redfern, wrote that while Disney announced the possibility of a Lake Nona campus nearly two years ago, "nothing ever came of the project, and the state was unsure whether it would come to fruition."

Redfern wrote that given the company's financial position, "it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures."

Disney and DeSantis have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle that started in March 2022, when Disney's then-CEO, Bob Chapek, criticized legislation in Florida that would limit discussion of gender identity and sexuality in elementary schools.

DeSantis, who is expected to soon announce that he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination for U.S. president, then moved to strip Disney of its long-standing self-governing power over Walt Disney World in Orlando. The governor argued that "woke Disney" should not receive special treatment in the state.

Disney is scrapping plans to build a nearly $1 billion corporate campus in central Florida that would have housed 2,000 employees, according to an e-mail to employees on Thursday, against the backdrop of its ongoing legal battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This report produced by Freddie Joyner

Disney called the move political retaliation over what should be protected free speech and sued the state last month to have the moves reversed.

Former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign was quick to seize on the news, with the Trump War Room account tweeting that DeSantis's actions cost the state jobs and investment. Democratic State Sen. Linda Stewart, who represents part of Orange County, called it "disappointing" that Florida would lose jobs.

Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo, a Republican who represented Miami, praised DeSantis's leadership during the pandemic, but said the governor was tarnishing his own record and dissuading businesses from coming to Florida or expanding in the state.

"This is first obvious negative consequence of an overly aggressive approach to governing and to politics," Curbelo said.

Iger's predecessor announced plans in July 2021 to relocate jobs from Southern California to a new facility in central Florida, citing its "business-friendly climate." While Disney has never disclosed the value of its investment, the Los Angeles Times reported that it would receive nearly $580 million in tax credits over the next 19 years.

"I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business," D'Amaro wrote. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so."