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Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Hanan Goder, has demanded unconditional release of all 125 people, including Bipin Joshi, who was abducted by Hamas militants.  

He made such a demand while addressing a program organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of Israel's 76th Independence Day on Thursday.

Ambassador Goder informed that Israel wants release of those who were held hostage. The program was graced by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav.

Goder further expressed his commitment that Israel would continue to maintain peace and tolerance in West Asia.

The Ambassador lauded the bold step of the then Nepal government realizing the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Nepal in 1960. He viewed that although Israel and Nepal are geographically distant, the relationship between the governments and the people is strong.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Speaker, lawmakers, leaders of various political parties, former foreign ministers, heads and officers of the diplomatic missions, high-ranking officials of the government, industrialists, businesspersons, media persons and other dignitaries.

On the occasion of Independence Day, photos of the damage caused in Israel by the extremist group Hamas eight months ago were displayed.

A total 1,139 people, including 10 Nepali students had died in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. In the attack, the group took hostage 252 Israelis and foreigners.

During the temporary ceasefire, Hamas released 150 people, including 22 foreigners. Bipin Joshi is one of the captives who is yet to be released. 

The government has endorsed a schedule of international visits the President is undertaking in June.

As per Cabinet decision, President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to attend the 112th session of the International Labor Conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 13.

He will attend the event, leading a Nepali delegation and visit Germany thereafter, according to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma.

The government spokesperson further informed that the government decided to allow the presentation of a bill relating to the Tilganga Eye University in the federal Parliament.

The Cabinet endorsed the Forest (2nd amendment) Regulation, 2081.

Decisions on promotion in the judicial service were also made by the Cabinet meeting. 

A Bill aiming to amend the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) Act-2066 BS was endorsed by the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives.

A meeting of the Committee today passed the Bill with amendments, according to Committee President Ramhari Khatiwada.

The Bill had been pending for long in the Committee for lack of consensus among the political parties regarding the decision procedures of the Council.

The Committee endorsed a provision allowing the Council to make decisions in a meeting attended by the Council Chair and a 50 percent majority of the total members.

The meeting also discussed the schedule, time, place, and the presence of members in a meeting.

It has endorsed a provision that warrants the Secretary shall inform the members about a meeting date, time, and venue through a letter, which shall also be circulated digitally.

Previously, there was a provision requiring the Secretary to inform Committee members about the schedule, time, and venue of a meeting at least 48 hours before the meeting along with the meeting agenda.

The meeting added a provision requiring any member of the Council to inform the Chair at least 24 hours before in case of inability to attend the Committee meeting.

The Constitutional Council comprises the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the National Assembly Chairperson, the leader from the major opposition party, and the Deputy Speaker as its members and is presided over by the Prime Minister.

The Constitutional Council has been formed as per Article 284 of the Constitution. Sub Article 1 states that there shall be a Constitutional Council for making recommendations for the appointment of the Chief Justice and Chiefs and officials of the Constitutional Bodies by this Constitution.

At the beginning of the meeting today, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, expressed her opinions on the Bill on behalf of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

She said that it is not appropriate to introduce provisions capable of marginalizing an individual holding the executive post and creating an inconvenient atmosphere for performance.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the CPN (Unified Socialist) is in favor of the present ruling alliance.  

Talking to media persons at Biratnagar Airport today, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that he held talks with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman and former Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, this morning and received a clear response that the CPN (US) is in favor of the current power equation.

On a different note, he explained that the budget unveiled by the federal government for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 has addressed the demand of construction of a ring-road in Biratnagar and a demand for operation of a medical college and other concerns of Koshi Province.

Priority has been given to production, productivity and employment in the budget, the PM added.

PM Dahal, who is also the Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), expressed the view that the government would be formed in Madhes Province as per the present ruling alliance.