Hamas told mediators it approves latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, group official says
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BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sultana: Corbyn 'capitulated' on antisemitism definition
Jeremy Corbyn "capitulated" over the definition of antisemitism while leader of the Labour party, fellow MP Zarah Sultana has Labour MPs Corbyn and Sultana launched a new political party less than a month ago, which they said would change politics, and oppose government policy on to the New Left Review, Sultana praised Corbynism's mass appeal, but said he "capitulated" to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, saying it equated it with criticism from Jewish groups, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews calling her words "a grave insult", Sultana posted on social media that she was a proud anti-Zionist. Asked how the new party would adapt the model of radical politics Corbynism set out a decade ago, Sultana said he had made "a serious mistake" in being too said: "We have to build on the strengths of Corbynism – its energy, mass appeal and bold policy platform – and we also have to recognise its limitations. "It capitulated to the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which famously equates it with anti-Zionism, and which even its lead author Kenneth Stern has now publicly criticised."Sultana added the movement was "frightened and far too conciliatory" when it was attacked and should have recognised that the state and the media "are our class enemies" because, she said, "you cannot give these people an inch".In 2018, Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, agreed to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism into its code of conduct, after months of the time, Jewish groups attacked an accompanying statement saying "this will not in any way undermine freedom of expression on Israel or the rights of Palestinians".The IHRA's working definition of antisemitism is the internationally accepted standard definition, adopted by the government and most British the guidance on its application, it includes holding Jews responsible for Israel's actions, and comparing its policies to those of the Nazis, as antisemitic Stern, who was one of the people involved in drafting the definition, has since criticised how it has been used, including in the UK, to chill free speech, arguing that "anti-Zionists have a right to free expression".However, Labour Against Antisemitism co-director Alex Hearn said Sultana's objection to the definition of antisemitism was "unsurprising given her history", dismissing her as an "extremist"."Without a proper definition, the unlawful harassment suffered by Jews could continue unabated, as it did during Corbyn's tenure of the Labour Party," Mr Hearn said."The three authors of the IHRA definition have stated that Kenneth Stern was not even an author, let alone 'lead author'. "Exaggerating his role is a tactic to give undue weight to his controversial views." Mr Hearn added he hoped Sultana would "remain on the fringes of politics for the remainder of her career, which is where her extremist views belong".The vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Andrew Gilber, said the definition was also "supported by the overwhelming majority of British Jews as it is clear and measured in defining antisemitism"."Calling the recognition of the IHRA definition of antisemitism a 'capitulation' is a grave insult," he said. "Labour's real betrayal under Corbyn was unlawfully harassing and discriminating against Jews. "Those who seek to delegitimise and mis-define the IHRA definition in this way prove themselves to be no friend to the Jewish community and also call into question their wider commitment to anti-racism, the wellbeing of the Jewish community and social cohesion." Responding to the criticism, Sultana posted on X rejecting "smears" and challenging journalists to print that she is "loudly and proudly... an anti-Zionist".In a second post she added: "Legacy media are not our allies. They are the mouthpiece of the ruling class."And how many of them have spoken out against Israel's genocide in Gaza and the direct targeting of Palestinian journalists?"You cannot give these people an inch. Their smears won't work this time."Corbyn's rejection of the IHRA definition was a defining factor in his political downfall from the Labour Party, despite his popularity with many on the left of the stepping down as party leader following his second general election defeat in 2019, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigated the party's handling of complaints under his Corbyn rejected the human rights watchdog's critical findings that there had been three breaches of the Equality Act during his tenure, claiming complaints had been "dramatically overstated" by political successor Sir Keir Starmer suspended him from the party and Labour's ruling NEC later banned him from standing for the party in the 2024 general election, leading to him standing as an independent MP.A Labour source said: "The electorate has twice made their view clear about a Jeremy Corbyn-led party."Keir Starmer's Labour Party rightly tore antisemitism out at its roots. Corbyn almost led the party to extinction. We're not going back." Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
Sudan's Burhan shakes up army, tightens control
CAIRO, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Sudan's army chief appointed a raft of new senior officers on Monday in a reshuffle that strengthened his hold on the military as he consolidates control of central and eastern regions and fights fierce battles in the west. Sudan's army, which controls the government, is fighting a more than two-year civil war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, its former partners in power, that has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan made new appointments to the Joint Chiefs of Staff a day after announcing the retirement of several long-serving officers, some of whom have gained a measure of fame over the past two years. Burhan, who serves as Sudan's internationally recognised head of state, kept the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mohamed Othman al-Hussein, but appointed a new inspector general and a new head of the air force. Another decree from Burhan on Sunday brought all the other armed groups fighting alongside the army - including former Darfur rebels, Islamist brigades, civilians who joined the war effort and tribal militias - under his control. Sudanese politicians praised the decision, saying it would prevent the development of other centres of power in the military, and potentially the future formation of other parallel forces like the RSF. The RSF has its roots in Arab militias armed by the military in the early 2000s to fight in Darfur. It was allowed to develop parallel structures and supply lines. The reshuffle comes a week after Burhan met U.S. senior Africa adviser Massad Boulos in Switzerland, where issues including a transition to civilian rule were discussed, government sources said. The war erupted in April 2023 when the army and the RSF clashed over plans to integrate their forces. The RSF made quick gains in central Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, but the army pushed them westward this year, leading to an intensification in fighting in al-Fashir in Darfur.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
‘It doesn't matter now if they are children': Ex-IDF chief said 50 Palestinian deaths for every October 7 victim was ‘necessary'
Israel's former head of military intelligence for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) called the deaths of 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza 'necessary and required for future generations' in leaked audio. Aharon Haliva can be heard in newly released audio clips saying that for every person who died during October 7, '50 Palestinians must die', even if they are children. The audio clips were aired by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. 'The fact that there are already 50,000 dead in Gaza is necessary and required for future generations. OK, you humiliated, you slaughtered, you murdered, everything is true,' said the former military chief. It is unclear when the statements were made, but Gaza's health ministry have reported that more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7 attacks in 2023, when Hamas massacred around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage. 'The price, I said before the war... For everything that happened on October 7, for every person on October 7, 50 Palestinians must die,' Haliva said in a translation reported by the Jerusalem Post and other media. 'It doesn't matter now if they are children. I'm not speaking out of revenge, I'm speaking out of a message to future generations. They need a Nakba every now and then to feel the price.' The term 'Nakba' translates to 'catastrophe' in Arabic and is used to describe the 1948 Palestine war which led to the expulsion of 700,000 Palestinians during the establishment of the Israeli state. Haliva was the IDF's head of military intelligence when the October 7 attacks happened. He resigned from his position in April 2024 over his 'leadership responsibility', becoming the first senior IDF officer to do so. It remains unclear who Haliva was speaking to in the lengthy recordings, as Channel 12 does not identify them. He claims throughout the recordings that the Israeli military is not the only organisation responsible for the failures that led to the attacks. He pointed fingers at Israel's political leadership and the country's home security service, Shin Bet, for believing Hamas would not carry out an attack. The Independent has contacted the IDF for comment. Haliva responded to Channel 12's reporting by expressing his regret for the recorded conversations: 'The leaked recordings were published from things said in a closed forum, and I can only regret that.' He called the recordings 'fragments of partial things, which cannot reflect the full picture — certainly when it comes to complex, detailed issues, most of which are highly classified.' 'The October 7 disaster occurred on my watch as head of the Intelligence Division', he said, adding: 'I bear ultimate responsibility for what happened.'
