France FM calls for foreign press access to Gaza amid Israel's aid siege
'I ask that the free and independent press be allowed to access Gaza to show what is happening there and to bear witness,' he told France Inter radio in an interview from eastern Ukraine.
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Canada calls for immediate resumption of UN-led aid in Gaza
OTTAWA: The Canadian government said on Wednesday that Israeli military operations against civilians and aid workers in Gaza were unacceptable, and called for the immediate resumption of UN-led aid distribution in the war-torn enclave. 'Israeli military operations against WHO staff and facilities, World Food Programme aid convoys, & the ongoing killing of Palestinians seeking urgently needed food and water are unacceptable,' the Canadian foreign ministry said on X. 'Hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels ... Canada calls for the immediate resumption at scale of UN-led aid,' the ministry added.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
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Brazil to join South Africa's Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ
Brazil is finalizing its submission to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. South Africa filed a case in 2023 asking the ICJ to declare that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The case argues that in its war against Hamas militants, Israel's military actions go beyond targeting Hamas alone by attacking civilians, with strikes on schools, hospitals, camps, and shelters. Other countries – including Spain, Turkey, and Colombia – have also sought to join the case against Israel. In its statement, the Brazilian government accused Israel of violations of international law 'such as the annexation of territories by force' and expressed 'deep indignation' at violence suffered by the civilian population. Israel denies deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians, saying its sole interest is to annihilate Hamas. Lawyers for Israel have dismissed South Africa's case as an abuse of the genocide convention. The Israeli embassy in Brasilia did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Brazil's National Israeli association CONIB said in a statement in response to Wednesday's decision that 'the breaking of Brazil's long-standing friendship and partnership with Israel is a misguided move that proves the extremism of our foreign policy.' Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has long been an outspoken critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, but Wednesday's decision carries added significance amid heightened tensions between Brazil and Israel's ally the United States. The Trump administration announced 50 percent tariffs on all Brazilian goods this month. A diplomat familiar with the thinking of the Lula administration told Reuters that Brazil does not believe its decision to join South Africa's case will impact its relationship with Washington, however. The United States has opposed South Africa's genocide case under both former president Joe Biden and Trump. In February, Trump signed an executive order to cut US financial assistance to South Africa, citing in part its ICJ case.
Arab News
3 hours ago
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Former diplomats urge UK prime minister to recognize Palestinian state
LONDON: More than 30 former UK ambassadors and 20 former senior diplomats at the UN have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state, as international outrage grows over the distressing scenes in Gaza. The former diplomats have represented the UK in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria and Turkiye, as well as the UN. Their statement adds to the growing pressure on Starmer from ministers and senior figures in the ruling Labour Party, including the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to address the question of Palestine. Starvation has affected the 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip amid Israeli attacks and aid restrictions. Khan said on Wednesday that the scenes in Gaza were harrowing and that 'nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government.' He asserted that there 'can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.' The former diplomats warned that 'the risks of inaction have profound, historic and catastrophic implications,' and called on Starmer to seize the 'moment to recognise Palestinian statehood unconditionally. '(Israel) cannot be secure from threats in the future if the question of Palestine is not taken forward to a political settlement,' they said. The statement added: 'In the face of the current horror and impunity, words are not enough … a partial suspension of arms sales, delays on trade talks and limited sanctions are far from the full extent of the pressure the UK can bring to bear on Israel.' Recognising a Palestinian state would be a 'foundational first step toward breaking the deadly status quo,' the letter said. The UK has consistently stated it would recognize Palestine in conjunction with allies 'at the point of maximum impact.' A rescheduled international conference will be held in New York City from July 28-29, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, to gather support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood. The organizers postponed the gathering planned for June due to the sudden conflict between Israel and Iran that occurred in the same month. Former diplomats urged Starmer to use the event to create a constructive plan that includes statehood for both Palestinians and Israelis. On Wednesday, Stephen Cottrell, the de facto leader of the Church of England, said Israel's 'war of aggression' in Gaza was a 'grave sin.' He said: 'With each passing day in Gaza, the violence, starvation and dehumanization being inflicted on the civilian population by the government of Israel becomes more depraved and unconscionable. 'In the name of God, I cry out against this barbaric assault on human life and dignity. It is a stain on the conscience of the international community and a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.' Cottrell called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the rebuilding of the Palestinian coastal territory.
