
UK, 24 nations urge 'permanent ceasefire' to Gaza war in joint plea
"We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," the grouping added in the communique.

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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Political solution without Palestinian statehood is 'cynical and illegal', says ICJ lawyer
With France saying it will recognise Palestine in September, making it the first G7 nation to do so, other countries such as the UK and Germany, which are holding out, have called for a political solution to the Palestine issue. That two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, however, cannot be reached without recognising Palestine as a state, Ardi Imseis, a professor of law at Queen's University in Canada, told The National. Mr Imseis is a former UN official and has represented states before the International Court of Justice, which last year found Israel to be under an obligation to end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and make reparations for the damage caused. "Recognition is a political prerogative of states," he said. They can urge for a political resolution to the problem without recognising one or the other states, Mr Imseis said, although that "does not make sense". "This is because if you have a two-state solution, one would assume you would need to have two states be part of that solution," he said. Under international law, the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination in a state of their own. "This right is peremptory and inalienable," he said. The international community has an obligation to help Palestinians realise that right, he added. "However, if states make the emergence of a Palestinian state contingent on successful negotiations with Israel, then, in effect, that places Israel in a position of holding a veto power over the exercise by the Palestinian people of their right of self-determination," he said. "It's a cyclical, cynical and ultimately illegal policy." Mr Imseis said that Israel was a "bad faith illegal occupier" with no intention to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. Following France's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron and said that a Palestinian state would create a "launch pad to annihilate Israel". France, the US and the UK are three of the five members of the UN Security Council with veto power, if and when the next vote comes to admit the state of Palestine to UN membership. The US used its veto the last time such a vote took place, on April 18, 2024. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is under increasing pressure from 220 Members of Parliament who wrote to him urging him to recognise a Palestinian state, said he does support the move. But, he said, it should be part of a "wider plan" which results in security for Palestinians and Israelis. At least 140 out of the world's 193 members of the UN General Assembly recognise Palestine as a state. In 2012, the General Assembly gave Palestine non-member observer state status. "That means, that within the UN system, the state of Palestine already exists," Mr Imseis said.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Britain 'taking forward' Gaza food airdrop plan: PM Starmer's office
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday spoke to his French and German counterparts and outlined UK plans to get aid to people in Gaza and evacuate sick and injured children, his office said. "The prime minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance," a statement said. In a phone conversation, Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza "which they agreed is appalling". "They all agreed it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting peace," according to a readout released by Downing Street. "They discussed their intention to work closely together on a plan.... which would pave the way to a long-term solution and security in the region. They agreed that once this plan was worked up, they would seek to bring in other key partners, including in the region, to advance it," it added. The discussion comes a day after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the international community for turning a blind eye to widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip, calling it a "moral crisis that challenges the global conscience". Aid groups have warned of surging cases of starvation, particularly among children, in war-ravaged Gaza, which Israel placed under an aid blockade in March amid its ongoing war with Hamas. That blockade was partially eased two months later. The trickle of aid since then has been controlled by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Welcomes France's Announcement to Recognise the State of Palestine
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf welcomes the announcement by President Emmanuel Macron of France expressing his intention to recognise the State of Palestine. This declaration aligns with the longstanding position of the African Union, as reaffirmed during the Thirty-Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held on 15–16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, which reiterated Africa's collective commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and statehood. The Chairperson views this development as a significant step toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, grounded in international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. H.E. Mr. Youssouf reiterates the African Union's unwavering support for the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security and encourages other nations to follow suit in supporting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).