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Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Labour's plan to recognise Palestine even if Hamas does not release hostages SLAMMED by families of captives
A statement issued by the families' lawyers said the conditions for recognising a Palestinian state would be assessed in late-September DEAL SHOCK Labour's plan to recognise Palestine even if Hamas does not release hostages SLAMMED by families of captives Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOSTAGE families blasted Labour's plan to recognise Palestine — after being told failure to release loved-ones will not stop the move. At a Foreign Office meeting, the relatives of four British-linked captives were told the UK would press ahead with state recognition even if Hamas terrorists refuse to free any of the 50 it still holds. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up A statement issued by their lawyers Adam Rose and Adam Wagner KC said the conditions for recognising a Palestinian state would be assessed in late-September. But it added: 'It was made obvious to us at the meeting that, in deciding whether to go ahead with recognition, the release or otherwise of the hostages would play no part in those considerations.' They warned the UK's new position would not help 'and could even hurt' hostages. They said PM Sir Keir Starmer's plan 'appears to be to put pressure on the Israelis only to reach a deal'. It abandons efforts to press both sides, they add. Sir Keir outlined the route to recognising a Palestinian state this week. He was met with outrage by hostage families and concern from Jewish community leaders. Emily Damari, 29, who was held in Gaza and released in January, called it a 'moral failure'. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump vowed to 'get people fed' in Gaza after sending envoy Steve Witkoff to tour a US-backed aid site in Rafah. Hamas agrees to release 10 hostages as terror group issues ceasefire red lines after Trump pressured Israel to end war
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Should US, Trump recognize a Palestinian state? Tell us
Greene's Republican Party has historically stood with Israel, but continued reports of starvation and civilian suffering are peeling away supporters, such as the United Kingdom, which announced it would recognize Palestine as a country if Israel doesn't improve conditions for noncombatants. But outspoken allies of Israel, from the president to the creator of a culture-defining comedy, say we should remember the horrific surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, that kicked off the war and killed 1,200 Israelis, a majority of them civilians. Of the 251 hostages taken on that day, there are 50 still in captivity. Actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld has made a statement about living briefly in the Jewish state and the heartbreak he felt over the Oct. 7 atrocities, saying, "I will stand with Israel." President Donald Trump, meanwhile, recently said recognizing Palestine as a nation and similar pressure on Israel amount to "rewarding Hamas." 'Every ounce of food': Trump presses Israel on starvation in Gaza; 'children look very hungry' What is the US doing in Israel, Gaza? In terms of actions to stop the humanitarian crisis, the United States pressured Israel to allow aid after it cut off deliveries in March by the United Nations and other groups for 11 weeks because Israeli officials said Hamas was seizing food. The U.N. said those renewed deliveries were a "drop in the ocean" of what was urgently needed. Now $30 million in U.S. aid is to be delivered through a controversial private, for-profit U.S. and Israel-backed contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Critics say GHF is not getting enough food to people, who are being killed as they try to get help from the aid sites. People are starving in Gaza. Why are we so comfortable just letting that happen? | Opinion Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to travel to Israel on July 31, Thursday, to address the humanitarian crisis. Witkoff called off the most recent efforts to broker a ceasefire deal on July 24, saying Hamas showed "a lack of desire." Should the US do more to help Palestinians? Should celebrities be weighing in? Now we're asking you, our readers, if you think the U.S. government is taking the right actions in terms of Israel and Gaza. And who do you think should be weighing in on the argument? Fill out our form below or send us an email to forum@ with the subject line "Forum Gaza." We'll pick a collection of responses to share in a follow-up post. Here are some questions to help you respond: Does the U.S. have a responsibility to do more to end the hunger crisis in Gaza? Why or why not? Is it helpful to have celebrities and other people not involved with foreign policy weigh in? Or does it distract? Why or why not? How would the recognition of a Palestinian state change the situation? What factors about the war in Gaza are not being covered enough in the news? Joel Burgess is a Voices editor for the USA TODAY Network.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
John Swinney issues 'freedom of speech' warning at Festival
Mr Swinney was speaking at the Edinburgh International Festival's headquarters days after Jewish performers claimed their Fringe shows had been cancelled by venues who cited safety concerns raised by staff. Read more: The First Minister, who praised the 'glorious diversity' of Scotland in his speech at The Hub venue, stressed the importance of performers having the ability to 'challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives.' He added: 'Culture that helps us to understand ourselves, to understand each other and to understand the world around about us.' Mr Swinney, who said he wanted to ensure Scotland was a country of 'robust debate and inquiry,' later launched a new defence of Edinburgh-based investment firm Baillie Gifford, one of the key corporate backers of both the EIF and the Fringe. Pro-Palestine campaigners have called for the both events to sever their links with the firm, which is said to have more than £60m worth of investments in a defence giant which has worked with state-owned arms companies in Israel. In his speech, Mr Swinney admitted global conflict was 'redrawing the world order', and said years of economic stagnation and austerity in the UK had left people disillusioned and alienated, and expression concern at how new technology had left people 'much more exposed to disinformation and harmful material.' He added: 'I want to ensure that Scotland's culture sector continues to bring people together for many generations to come. 'I know that, just like the government, this sector has faced significant and prolonged financial pressures. 'You've been squeezed by rising costs, by new restrictions on the freedom of movement in Europe, by job losses during the pandemic and too many other challenges to mention. I know also that freedom of expression is under greater and greater attack, both at home and around the world. 'I want to ensure that Scotland – the birthplace of the enlightenment – remains a country of robust debate and inquiry. 'I firmly believe that art and culture must be able to challenge us, to ask us tough questions, and to force us to look at things from different perspectives. 'And yes, it must at times be allowed to shock and to offend us. It can also heal us. So let me be absolutely clear – as First Minister I will always protect freedom of speech in our country. 'It is not the First Minister's job to tell you what to create – nor would I ever seek to do so.' Mr Swinney was later asked about controversy over the cancellation of Fringe shows by Jewish performers Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon, and the renewed calls for Baillie Gifford to be dropped by festivals. He said: "What I make a pitch for is an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for other people's opinions. If we all have respect for each other's opinions then we will be able to enable everyone to express their opinions. "I believe in freedom of speech and that we should be tolerant of others. "I feel our society is healthier where we have an expression of views respectively and courteously, so all of us are able to do so on all subjects, but particularly on the issues of the greatest sensitivity. "I want there to be freedom of expression and I want people to be able to air their views. "Some of the ability to do that and the creation of opportunities to do so comes through the sponsorship that is offered by organisations like Baillie Gifford. "My view hasn't changed from what I said before. I think Baillie Gifford has an important contribution to make as one organisation to the offer of philanthropic support for the arts."
