Netanyahu hits back at Starmer over Gaza military offensive
Sir Keir, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless Mr Netanyahu changes course.
But the Israeli prime minister said his country would press on for 'total victory' over Hamas.
My joint statement with @Keir_Starmer and @EmmanuelMacron on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank:
'We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday's announcement that Israel will allow…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 19, 2025
In a joint statement, Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Carney said: 'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.'
The leaders called on Hamas to release the hostages it took in the 'heinous attack' on October 7 2023.
'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism,' the three leaders said.
'But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.'
Mr Netanyahu hit back, saying: 'By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.'
He added: 'The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised.
'No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won't.
'This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.'
Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade.
A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up.
We are determined to save as many lives as we can. pic.twitter.com/Ai5m9cawqt
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025
The UN's humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher – a former British diplomat – said nine aid trucks were cleared to enter after Israel's blockade was lifted, 'but it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed'.
'Our expectations for today's crossings are realistic: given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,' he warned.
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dozens to be prosecuted for supporting terror group Palestine Action after hundreds were arrested in protests
The group was proscribed last month meaning it is a criminal offence to show support TERROR PROSECUTIONS Dozens to be prosecuted for supporting terror group Palestine Action after hundreds were arrested in protests Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COPS have charged a further 60 people for supporting Palestine Action after more than 700 arrests. The group was proscribed last month after they took credit for vandalising two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, in an alleged £7million attack. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Police detained 522 people who were illegally supporting Palestine Action on Saturday Credit: Getty 6 Dozens could be prosecuted for backing the terror group Credit: Peter Macdiarmid 6 Organisers Defend Our Juries said up to 700 people were at the event in Parliament Square Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Palestine Action have also been linked to claims of serious assault on staff and police officers at a business in South Gloucestershire. Since proscription, it is a criminal offence to show support for the group - carrying a prison sentence of up to 14 years. This comes after more than 15,000 people held a peaceful protest in London last weekend to support Palestine, where only one person was arrested. But cops later detained 522 people who were illegally supporting Palestine Action. Five others were arrested for assaulting police officers, two for breaching public order conditions and one for racially aggravated public order. Organisers Defend Our Juries said up to 700 people were at the event in Parliament Square, with police preparing for the "largest mass arrest in their history". It turned out to be an even higher number of arrests made by the Metropolitan Police at a single protest than the poll tax riots of 1990, when 339 people were arrested. Clusters of officers could be seen holding people sat on the edge of the grass and escorting them through crowds to police vans. One man, who appeared to be in his 50s, was arrested after he entered a large group of police holding a homemade sign reading "I support Palestine Action". He was marched away by a group of nine cops. Record number arrested at Palestine Action protest as demonstrators bring chaos to London People waving Palestinian flags and signs reading "stop the genocide" continued to gather in the main square despite the risk of arrest. Another pair of protesters holding handwritten pro-Palestine Action banners sat on the statue of Millicent Garrett Fawcett. They were later arrested and carried away by police officers. As they were carried away the crowd shouted "shame on you". Three retired doctors in scrubs lay and sat holding signs in support of the controversial group - police surrounded them and arrested a woman, carrying her away through the crowd. Another was later carried away, with officers having to fight through an angry crowd. The mass protest came only days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group were publicly named as Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, also 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: 'The decisions that we have announced today are the first significant numbers to come out of the recent protests, and many more can be expected in the next few weeks. We are ready to make swift decisions in all cases where arrests have been made. 'The public has a democratic right to protest peacefully in this country, and I understand the depth of feeling around the horrific scenes in Gaza. 'However, Palestine Action is now a proscribed terrorist organisation and those who have chosen to break the law will be subject to criminal proceedings under the Terrorism Act. 'When protest conduct crosses the line from lawful activity into criminality, we have a duty to enforce the law. 'People should be clear about the real-life consequences for anyone choosing to support Palestine Action. A terrorism conviction can severely impact your life and career – it can restrict your ability to travel overseas and work in certain professions. 'I urge people to think very carefully about their actions at protests. Anyone who chooses to disobey the law will have to face the consequences.' 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'Where officers see these offences, we will continue to make arrests and, as shown today, the CPS and police will work to quickly secure charges, at whatever scale is necessary.' A Home Office spokesperson said in a previous statement: "The Home Secretary has been clear that the proscription of Palestine Action is not about Palestine, nor does it affect the freedom to protest on Palestinian rights. "It only applies to the specific and narrow organisation whose activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to protest on different issues." Consequences of Terrorism Act offences Source; Met Police •A maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment. •The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will have a record of a person's TACT conviction, and this will be seen by employers who use DBS to carry out checks on staff or new applicants. The existence of a TACT conviction may be seen by employers as grounds for a refusal to employ a person or to dismiss them. •Universities also carry out DBS checks, and may refuse entry to courses to those with terrorism convictions. •Any application to visit another country usually requires a declaration of criminal convictions. A TACT conviction will be a potential bar to entry to countries including the US, Australia, Japan, and from 2026 when the ETIAS system is introduced, countries of the European Union. •If a person is a member of a professional body, they may face disciplinary proceedings and potentially removal from the profession. 6 The mass protest came days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group were publicly named Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Five others were arrested for assaulting police officers Credit: AFP
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
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Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Another 60 people to be prosecuted for ‘showing support for Palestine Action'
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