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Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans
Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans

Glasgow Times

time38 minutes ago

  • Politics
  • Glasgow Times

Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans

David Lammy has condemned defence minister Israel Katz, who has reportedly put forward plans to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, Gaza's now largely destroyed southern-most city. They would then be prevented from leaving, with the aim being to eventually move the entire population to the city. He told the Commons International Development Committee on Wednesday that 'no defence minister should be talking about effectively holding people, unable to leave, presumably, in the manner in which he described'. Asked whether Mr Katz would be sanctioned, as other Israeli ministers had been over comments inciting violence against Palestinians, Mr Lammy told the committee he could not comment on future sanctions. David Lammy said he could not comment on possible future sanctions (House of Commons/UK Parliament) But he added: 'You will have heard my statement about Minister Katz and you will have heard my statements previously about ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and then the decision that I took.' The UK sanctioned Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich 'in their personal capacity' in June, citing their 'repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians'. Prior to those sanctions, Mr Lammy had described comments by Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich on Palestinian 'emigration' from Gaza as 'dangerous, extreme and totally wrong'. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway also sanctioned the two men at the same time, but the decision brought criticism from US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who said it did not 'advance' efforts to secure a ceasefire. Last week, Mr Lammy told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that the Government could take further action against Israel if a ceasefire in Gaza was not achieved. On Wednesday, Mr Lammy also stressed the Government's opposition to the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has replaced UN aid distribution centres with just four sites in militarised zones run by private security contractors. Hundreds of Palestinians are reported to have been killed or wounded while seeking aid at GHF sites. Mr Lammy told the International Development Committee the GHF system 'must not set a precedent' and was 'outwith of global norms and rules that we all signed up to after the Second World War' as he called for more aid trucks to be allowed into Gaza.

UK Weighs Sanctions Over Israel's ‘Humanitarian City' Proposal
UK Weighs Sanctions Over Israel's ‘Humanitarian City' Proposal

Bloomberg

timean hour ago

  • Politics
  • Bloomberg

UK Weighs Sanctions Over Israel's ‘Humanitarian City' Proposal

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggested he's considering imposing sanctions on Israel's defense minister over his proposal to move Palestinians in Gaza to a 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, in the latest sign of growing tensions between European governments and Benjamin Netanyahu's administration. Israel Katz told journalists last week that he instructed the military to prepare to establish a camp built in the ruins of the city, Israeli media reported. He said Palestinians would be brought inside after security screening to ensure they were not Hamas operatives, and that they would not be allowed to leave, according to the reports. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert told the Guardian that the plan is comparable to a 'concentration camp.'

Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans
Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans

Western Telegraph

time4 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Western Telegraph

Lammy hints at sanctions for Israeli minister over Gaza camp plans

David Lammy has condemned defence minister Israel Katz, who has reportedly put forward plans to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, Gaza's now largely destroyed southern-most city. They would then be prevented from leaving, with the aim being to eventually move the entire population to the city. He told the Commons International Development Committee on Wednesday that 'no defence minister should be talking about effectively holding people, unable to leave, presumably, in the manner in which he described'. Asked whether Mr Katz would be sanctioned, as other Israeli ministers had been over comments inciting violence against Palestinians, Mr Lammy told the committee he could not comment on future sanctions. David Lammy said he could not comment on possible future sanctions (Stefan Rousseau/PA) But he added: 'You will have heard my statement about Minister Katz and you will have heard my statements previously about ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and then the decision that I took.' The UK sanctioned Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich 'in their personal capacity' in June, citing their 'repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians'. Prior to those sanctions, Mr Lammy had described comments by Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich on Palestinian 'emigration' from Gaza as 'dangerous, extreme and totally wrong'. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway also sanctioned the two men at the same time, but the decision brought criticism from US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who said it did not 'advance' efforts to secure a ceasefire. Last week, Mr Lammy told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that the Government could take further action against Israel if a ceasefire in Gaza was not achieved. On Wednesday, Mr Lammy also stressed the Government's opposition to the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has replaced UN aid distribution centres with just four sites in militarised zones run by private security contractors. Hundreds of Palestinians are reported to have been killed or wounded while seeking aid at GHF sites. Mr Lammy told the International Development Committee the GHF system 'must not set a precedent' and was 'outwith of global norms and rules that we all signed up to after the Second World War' as he called for more aid trucks to be allowed into Gaza.

The Perilous Pressure of Jimmy Lai's Prosecution
The Perilous Pressure of Jimmy Lai's Prosecution

Wall Street Journal

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Wall Street Journal

The Perilous Pressure of Jimmy Lai's Prosecution

Publisher and freedom fighter Jimmy Lai has been behind bars in Hong Kong since the end of 2020—more than 1,650 days. Hong Kong insists all is well with Mr. Lai and rebuts any claims to the contrary. Meantime, the government lashes out at critics who question Mr. Lai's continuing national-security law trial—which could see him jailed for life—as well as his conditions in prison. Late last month the Hong Kong government assailed 'foreign politicians, anti-China organisations, and various media' making 'irresponsible and absurd remarks, distorting the truth' about Mr. Lai's case, 'with the intention of perverting the course of justice.' Why is Hong Kong so aggressive in responding to questions about Mr. Lai? The answer lies in the absurdity of holding a 77-year-old newspaper publisher in appalling conditions while he is being tried on sham charges. Next week's weather forecast for Hong Kong calls for temperatures in the 90s and 95% humidity. It will feel as if it is more than 100 degrees. In Mr. Lai's un-air-conditioned windowless cell, it will feel even hotter. That is neither safe nor humane. That isn't good for Mr. Lai, and it isn't good for China. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently told Parliament that 'it would be a catastrophe, frankly, and a huge mistake for China and its global reputation if it were to find itself in a situation where a 77-year-old man who is clearly in ill health . . . were to die in custody.'

Demands grow for sanctions over British man detained in Dubai for 17 years
Demands grow for sanctions over British man detained in Dubai for 17 years

The Independent

time19 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Independent

Demands grow for sanctions over British man detained in Dubai for 17 years

The Foreign Secretary has faced urgent calls to sanction those responsible for the detention of a British man in Dubai for the past 17 years. MPs and peers have urged David Lammy to publicly call for the release of Ryan Cornelius, now 71, who was detained for 10 years in 2008 as part of a bank fraud case. The detention was then extended by 20 years in 2018. A group of 15 parliamentarians, led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said the case of Ryan Cornelius was a 'flagrant example of arbitrary detention and abuse of power'. A UN working group has found he is subject to arbitrary detention and last week the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning his detention in 'inhumane conditions' and calling for his 'immediate and unconditional release'. After the European Parliament resolution, Sir Iain and his colleagues asked Mr Lammy to 'immediately clarify the Government 's position on Mr Cornelius's case and confirm what steps you will now take to press for his release'. Specifically, they asked whether the Government would make 'strong representations to the UAE on his behalf', publicly call for his release and impose 'targeted' sanctions on those responsible for his detention. They said: 'The UK has a moral and legal duty to act, as well as a diplomatic responsibility to defend its citizens abroad from such mistreatment. 'We urge the Government to act with the utmost urgency to secure his release.' Sir Iain said it was 'vital' for the Government to take 'decisive action' to secure Mr Cornelius's release. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has previously said the Government would 'continue to highlight their concerns' in talks with the UAE and was providing Mr Cornelius with consular assistance, while it took reports of human rights violations 'very seriously'. But the UK's response to his detention has been criticised by Mr Cornelius's wife Heather and brother-in-law Chris Pagett. They said: 'For more than 17 years, we have had nothing but defensive waffle from the British Foreign Office. 'The European Parliament has made a strong and direct call to the UAE for Ryan's release within months of our taking his case to them. 'The contrast is shameful. The British people deserve better.' It is understood that the Government is supporting Mr Cornelius's application for clemency, and the issue was raised by the Foreign Secretary during a trip to the UAE in December last year.

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