Latest news with #77thIndependenceDay
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Jimmy Carr hosts secret Israeli party at British museum
On Tuesday, the Israeli embassy organised a party to celebrate the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day. The party was not advertised and staff at the museum were reportedly asked to leave work early, according to the Middle East Eye. The event was hosted by television personality Jimmy Carr and was also attended by Maria Eagle, Labour's minister for defence procurement and industry, who gave a speech. READ MORE: Labour suffers blow as Albania snubs Rwanda-style scheme In her speech, Eagle boasted about the regular Royal Air Force spy planes which have been flying over Gaza on reconnaissance missions. "The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," she told the room. "We stood with Israel; when Iran launched its reckless coordinated missile and drone attacks, with RAF aircraft intercepting a number of them." She added that "it's been hard over the last couple of years to see Israel going through some of the most difficult times in its history". Other politicians seen at the event were Stephen Crabb, a former Tory minister, and Britain's trade envoy to Israel, Lord Ian Austin. The event's keynote speech was given by Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, a controversial figure who once called the Nakba – when 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced and more than 500 Palestinian cities, towns and villages were destroyed by Israel in 1948 during the country's formation – an "Arab lie", and who has rejected the notion of a two-state solution. READ MORE: SNP win by-election as Reform UK beat Scottish Labour The secret party comes as Israel approved plans to "capture" and occupy Gaza for an unspecified amount of time. On the same day as the event, the UK Government was in court facing a legal challenge over its decision to continue to supply F-35 parts to Israel. While the event was kept under wraps, a protest organised by Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP), which describes itself as an "anti-imperialist climate organisation", took place outside the museum. A spokesperson for the group told the Middle East Eye: "It is not lost on us that Maria Eagle's speech in the British Museum comes on the same day that the UK government was brought to court by [legal groups] Glan and Al-Haq." They added that EEFP has "exposed the true face of the British Museum, which presents as a progressive institution", and that British Museum staff members were "lied to".
Middle East Eye
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and Jimmy Carr attend secret Israeli party at British Museum
On Tuesday, staff at the British Museum were reportedly told there would be a "large corporate event" that evening. They said they were asked to leave work early. That evening, British ministers and prominent politicians were seen arriving at the country's largest museum. So was Jimmy Carr, one of Britain's most prominent television personalities. The event, which had not been advertised, was no corporate affair. This clandestine party had been organised by the Israeli embassy to celebrate the anniversary of Israel's 77th Independence Day. Word of the event had been leaked and pro-Palestine protesters arrived outside the museum gates, where they were greeted by the Metropolitan Police - who penned them into a side street. Inside the museum, the Labour ministers in attendance could listen to entertainment by the host, Carr, while rubbing shoulders with prominent opposition politicians who had been invited to the exclusive bash. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Among them was Nigel Farage - leader of Reform UK, which polls regularly indicate is the most popular party in the country. Also seen was Kemi Badenoch - leader of the Conservative party. It was quite a statement for these British politicians to attend an event at which the keynote speech was given by Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, who once called the Nakba an "Arab lie" and is an avowed opponent of the creation of a Palestinian state. More so, given that it has been less than a week since Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to "capture" Gaza and hold its territory, and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed that Gaza would be entirely destroyed. Moreover, earlier on Tuesday, the British government was in court facing a legal challenge over its decision to allow the export of F-35 parts to a global pool that could eventually end up in Israeli jets. Monstrous that UK Government Ministers can still party in London, celebrating the British contribution to Israel's Gaza Genocide, even as starvation stalks 2 million civilians & Netanyahu publicly makes clear that he intends ethnic cleansing for the entire Palestinian population — William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) May 15, 2025 Hotovely is herself no stranger to controversy. She takes an interventionist approach to British politics. In recent months, for example, the ambassador issued an official complaint to the BBC over a documentary it aired on children in Gaza, because the child's narrator was the son of a minister in Gaza. The film was ultimately pulled. She also launched an unexpected attack on the mayor of London over his annual Eid al-Fitr message. The Israeli embassy accused him of "spouting Hamas propaganda" for talking about suffering in Gaza (Sadiq Khan's office responded accurately that he has "repeatedly" condemned Hamas). "Israel knows how to party," wrote journalist Jonny Gould in the caption of a photo he posted of himself in the museum, posing with a delighted-looking Farage. The walls inside the insitution, which is publicly funded, were lit up in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag, and the Israeli national anthem was played. Speech by British minister The party was imbued with a serious air when Britain's minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle, took to the stage to give a speech. She boasted about the regular Royal Air Force spy planes that have been flying over Gaza on reconnaissance missions, and of Britain's help in defending Israel from Iranian attacks. UK blocks Labour MP from asking about Israeli bombers using British airbase Read More » "The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," Eagle told a rowdy crowd. "We stood with Israel; when Iran launched its reckless coordinated missile and drone attacks, with RAF aircraft intercepting a number of them." She said that "it's been hard over the last couple of years to see Israel going through some of the most difficult times in its history". But it was unclear how much of the speech the crowd heard. At one point a guest walked onto the stage and took the microphone from Eagle. "She's speaking. I know we're Israeli, I know we don't like listening for long," she told the partygoers, "but please, give her five more minutes, it's really embarassing." Eagle took it in her stride. "I'm a politician - I expect people to speak over me. You just carry on regardless," she said. The minister called for "a deal that brings a stop to the fighting, enables the release of all hostages, gets the aid flowing and establishes a political horizon with a credible and irreversible path for peace". It is unlikely that Hotovely approved of this sentiment. Her own keynote speech focused on emphasising the threat of Iran ("the most dangerous state actor in the world today") and the need to dismantle its nuclear enrichment programme. 'I'm a politician - I expect people to speak over me' - Maria Eagle, UK defence minister Stephen Crabb, a former Tory minister, was seen at the event. So was Lord Ian Austin, Britain's trade envoy to Israel. Middle East Eye spoke to Energy Embargo for Palestine (EEFP), which describes itself as an "anti-imperialist climate organisation" and organised the protest outside the museum. "It is not lost on us that Maria Eagle's speech in the British Museum comes on the same day that the UK government was brought to court by [legal groups] Glan and Al-Haq," an EEFP spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that EEFP has "exposed the true face of the British Museum, which presents as a progressive institution", and that British Museum staff members were "lied to". MEE has asked the British Museum for comment.
Deccan Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Shivraj Singh Chouhan participates in Israel's Independence Day event in Delhi
Participated in Israel's 77th Independence Day celebration program in New Delhi today. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all my friends from Israel on this auspicious occasion. As we celebrate this important day for Israel, let us take this opportunity to further…
NDTV
01-05-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
Video: Massive Sandstorm Hits Southern Israel As Winds Intensify Jerusalem Wildfires
Tel Aviv: A severe sandstorm hit Israel on Wednesday, as winds tore through the country's southern parts, reducing visibility to near zero. Videos shared on social media showed a massive dust cloud engulfing the Negev Desert and Beersheba in southern Israel, turning the skies amber. Local media reported that the sandstorm has reached an Israeli military base in the Negev. A footage shared on social media showed soldiers struggling to close the gates of a military base because of the strength of the wind. INSANE sandstorm sweeps southern Israel, West Bank amidst raging wildfire crisis — RT (@RT_com) May 1, 2025 Earlier, meteorologists issued a forecast warning about strong winds in Israel's south. "During the day, heavy winds will blow, heavy haze will set in, and there will even be sandstorms in the south. The peak of the heat wave is expected this afternoon with temperatures of 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast," Israel National News reported, quoting Meteorologist Lior Sudri. INSANE sandstorm sweeps southern Israel, West Bank amidst raging wildfire crisis — RT (@RT_com) May 1, 2025 Due to extreme weather conditions, the Israel government has cancelled the live ceremony for Israel's 77th Independence Day. Instead, a pre-recorded dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony was broadcast on Israeli television on Wednesday evening. Wildfire In Jerusalem The extreme weather conditions added to worries as authorities dealt with wildfires raging on the outskirts of Jerusalem, forcing the evacuation of communities and the closure of a main highway. Israel has appealed for international assistance to help fight the blaze. TV footage showed fires burning along the main Route 1 Jerusalem to Tel Aviv highway, and people abandoning cars and running away from the flames as thick smoke billowed over the surrounding hilltops. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Italy and Croatia were expected to send three firefighting planes to help extinguish the flames. Israel has also appealed to Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria, the Foreign Ministry said. Israeli media reported that 120 fire and rescue services had mobilised dozens of teams, aircraft and helicopters to try to contain the fires, and the military said its search and rescue forces were assisting the operations. Three communities were evacuated, police said, and at least 13 people were injured. There were no reports of fatalities. The fire broke out on Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and many ceremonies marking the eve of its Independence Day were cancelled, including the main state event due to be held in Jerusalem.
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Inferno in Israel: Wildfires force evacuations, highway shutdown
JERUSALEM: Wildfires due to extreme heat and winds broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of communities and the closure of a main highway, as the country was observing Memorial Day and many Israelis visited gravesites. The main Route 1 Jerusalem to Tel Aviv highway was closed near the fire site and police said three communities had been evacuated. "Based on assessments of the fire's spread, the district commander has instructed teams to prepare for the potential evacuation of additional communities, including deploying buses in case they are needed," the police said in a statement. TV footage showed fires along the highway and people abandoning cars and running from the fires. Israel's Fire and Rescue service said on Tuesday that due to extreme conditions that were increasing the likelihood of fires spreading and developing, it had prohibited the lighting of bonfires through May 7. Israel's 77th Independence Day begins tonight and there is a widespread custom to build bonfires and have barbecues. The rescue service said barbecues should only be lit in authorised areas. Israeli media reported that 120 fire and rescue services had mobilised dozens of firefighting teams, aircraft and helicopters to try to contain the fires. They noted that 12 people were injured from smoke inhalation while Israel has asked at least five countries for help - Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Cyprus. The military's chief of staff said he had ordered Home Front Command, the Air Force and all IDF units to assist as needed to support the Israeli Police and Fire and Rescue Services. Search and Rescue forces from the IDF Search and Rescue Brigade and Air Force fire trucks have been assisting in efforts to extinguish the fires in the Jerusalem Hills area and evacuate residents.
