Latest news with #Isra
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
John Swinney's 'completely unacceptable' comment over Gaza City occupation plan under Benjamin Netanyahu
John Swinney and Sir Keir Starmer have both spoken out about the decisions taken by Israel's war cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... John Swinney has described the Israeli government's decision to approve a plan to take over Gaza City as 'completely and utterly unacceptable'. The First Minister's comments come as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israel was 'wrong' to approve the occupation plans for Gaza City. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The sun sets behind buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel | AP Sir Keir urged Israeli leaders to reconsider the new offensive, claiming it would 'bring more bloodshed' if they pressed ahead. Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu met with his war cabinet and approved plans for a major escalation in the conflict early on Friday. The Israeli plan stops short of fully taking over all of Gaza, as had been touted ahead of the war cabinet meeting. But the Prime Minister insisted Israel should de-escalate, rather than launch the operation. 'More human suffering' Mr Swinney said the move would create even more human suffering as he reiterated calls for a ceasefire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister John Swinney alongside the first tee where US President Donald Trump officially opened the New Course at Trump International Golf Links in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire (Picture: Jane Barlow) | PA In a post on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The decision of the Israeli Government to seize control of Gaza City is completely and utterly unacceptable. It will create even more human suffering for the Palestinian people and further escalate the conflict. 'The international community must stop Israel and secure a ceasefire.' Sir Keir has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state by next month unless Israel meets a series of conditions towards ending the war in Gaza. Starmer's message for Israel He said: 'The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately. This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Prime Minister added: 'Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions. What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.' Sir Keir has also urged Hamas to disarm, release its remaining Israeli hostages, and accept it will have no part in the future governance of Gaza. If Israel's Gaza City offensive goes ahead, the prospect of it meeting Sir Keir's conditions to prevent the UK recognising Palestinian statehood would likely diminish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he could officially recognise Palestine by next month Israel counter measures The Times has meanwhile reported the Israeli government is considering counter measures should the UK recognise Palestine. This could include withdrawing defence and intelligence co-operation, which has been vital to foiling terror activities in the UK, the newspaper said. In his statement, Sir Keir also warned the prospect of a two-state solution reached through a negotiated peace was 'vanishing before our eyes'. He said: 'Together with our allies, we are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis. 'But without both sides engaging in good faith in negotiations, that prospect is vanishing before our eyes. Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Block arms exports' Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the UK government to block all arms exports to Israel and sanction Mr Netanyahu, saying it was becoming 'increasingly clear that his goal is ethnic cleansing' in Gaza. 'Netanyahu's plans to occupy the whole of Gaza are utterly abhorrent,' he said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Streaming platform Mubi facing pressure from film industry over Israeli military ties
Global streaming platform Mubi is facing backlash over investor ties to Israeli military, with filmmakers calling on the production company and film distributor to end its relatioship with investment firm Sequoia Capital. The growing pressure aimed at the upstart distributor, which ushered The Substance to awards success last year, centres on a recent $100 million investment it received from the Silicon Valley-based private equity firm. Sequoia Capital backs a number of Israeli defence-tech start-ups, including Kela Technologies, a firm founded by veterans of the Israeli military in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, and military drone manufacturer Neros. Filmmakers with ties to Mubi have signed an open letter, first published by Variety on 30 July. Creatives like Aki Kaurismäki, Miguel Gomes, Radu Jude, Sarah Friedland and Joshua Oppenheimer strongly criticise the VOD platform's ties to Sequoia Capital. According to Variety, the number of signatories now stands at 63, with additional names including the Israeli directors Ari Folman and Nadav Lapid. 'Mubi's financial growth as a company is now explicitly tied to the genocide in Gaza, which implicates all of us that work with Mubi,' reads the letter. It continues: 'We too believe that cinema can be powerful. And we know that we can't always control how audiences will respond to our work, and whether or not it will move and inspire them. But we can control how our work reflects our values and commitments – ones that are wholly ignored when our work is brought into alliance with a genocide-profiteering private equity firm.' Scroll down to read the letter in full. A UN report has found that Israel's military actions are consistent with genocide. Israel has continually denied that their actions in Palestine can be equated to genocide and argued that it has not partaken in any war crimes. A spokesperson recently called the claims of genocide 'baseless' because it is not acting with 'intent.' When controversy over the Sequoia Capital investment first broke in June, Mubi said in a statement posted on Instagram that it had entered into the partnership 'to accelerate' its 'mission of delivering bold and visionary films to global audiences'. It added that Sequoia's investments did 'not reflect the views of Mubi.' 'We take the feedback from our community very seriously, and are steadfast in remaining an independent founder-led company,' it concluded. Here is the full statement addressed to Mubi: Dear Mubi leadership, We write as filmmakers who have a professional relationship to Mubi to express our serious concern regarding Mubi's decision to accept $100 million in funding from Sequoia Capital, a private equity firm that, since late 2023 has chosen to double down on investing in Israeli military technology companies with the goal of profiting from the Gazan genocide. In 2024, Sequoia heavily invested in Kela, a military tech startup founded by a former senior manager of Palantir Israel and multiple Israeli military intelligence veterans, as well as military drone manufacturer Neros, and the unmanned aerial vehicle manufacture, Mach Industries. Mubi's financial growth as a company is now explicitly tied to the genocide in Gaza, which implicates all of us that work with Mubi. We too believe that cinema can be powerful. And we know that we can't always control how audiences will respond to our work, and whether or not it will move and inspire them. But we can control how our work reflects our values and commitments—ones that are wholly ignored when our work is brought into alliance with a genocide-profiteering private equity firm. Gaza is enduring mass civilian killings, including of journalists, artists, and film workers, alongside the widespread destruction of Palestinian cultural sites and heritage. We don't believe an arthouse film platform can meaningfully support a global community of cinephiles while also partnering with a company invested in murdering Palestinian artists and filmmakers. We approach our work with care for the people and communities they represent, and the audiences who will watch it, because as artists we are accountable to more than the bottom line. Yet Mubi's decision to partner with Sequoia demonstrates a total lack of accountability to the artists and communities who have helped the company flourish. We believe that it is our ethical duty to do no harm. We expect our partners, at a minimum, to refuse to be complicit in the horrific violence being waged against Palestinians. We ask you to heed the call made by Film Workers for Palestine and take action that meaningfully responds to the artists and the audiences who are such an integral part of Mubi's success. Mubi has yet to respond publicly to the letter.
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First Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Iran questions Israel's ceasefire commitment after deadly 12-day war
The 12-day war erupted on June 13, when Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran that killed top military commanders and scientists linked to its nuclear programme. Tehran responded with ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities read more This handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and dated June 29, 2025 shows a view of tunnel entrances at the Fordo (Fordow) Fuel Enrichment Plant complex, about 30 kilometres north of Qom in central Iran. AFP Iran on Sunday warned it had little faith in Israel's commitment to a fragile ceasefire that ended the most intense and destructive confrontation between the two foes to date. The 12-day war erupted on June 13, when Israel launched a bombing campaign in Iran that killed top military commanders and scientists linked to its nuclear programme. Tehran responded with ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities. Israel said its aim was to keep the Islamic republic from developing an atomic weapon – an ambition Tehran has consistently denied, insisting it has the right to develop nuclear power for civilian purposes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fighting derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, which later joined its ally Israel's campaign with bunker-busting strikes on nuclear facilities. 'We did not start the war, but we have responded to the aggressor with all our power,' Iranian armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi was quoted as saying by state television, referring to Israel. 'We have serious doubts over the enemy's compliance with its commitments including the ceasefire, we are ready to respond with force' if attacked again, he added, six days into the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. The conflict has rattled the already shaky relationship between Iran and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran has rejected the IAEA's request to inspect its bombed nuclear sites, accusing its chief Rafael Grossi of 'betraying his duties' by failing to condemn the Israeli and US attacks. Iranian lawmakers voted this week to suspend cooperation with the agency. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Grossi's request to visit the targeted facilities 'meaningless' and 'possibly malign in intent'. Tehran also cited a June 12 IAEA resolution criticising Iran's lack of nuclear transparency as a pretext used by Israel to justify launching its offensive the following day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The backlash drew a sharp rebuke from Germany and Argentina, Grossi's home country. 'I commend Director General Rafael Grossi and his team for their unrelenting professionalism. Threats against them from within Iran are deeply troubling and must stop,' German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X. Argentina's foreign ministry said it 'categorically condemns the threats against him coming from Iran'. Neither specified which threats they were referring to, but Iran's ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper recently claimed documents showed Grossi to be an Israeli spy. 'It should therefore be officially announced that he will be tried and executed upon arrival in Iran for spying for the Mossad and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of our country,' the newspaper said. 'Compensation' In a letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi demanded the Security Council formally hold Israel and the United States to blame for starting the war, 'and acknowledge their subsequent responsibility, including the payment of compensation and reparations'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The United States carried out strikes on three key facilities used for Iran's atomic programme. Trump has threatened further strikes should Iran enrich uranium to levels capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons. The IAEA said Iran had previously enriched uranium to 60 percent, well above the 3.67 percent limit set by a 2015 nuclear agreement from which Trump unilaterally withdrew during his first term in 2018. To make a weapon, Iran would need to enrich uranium up to 90 percent. Israel has maintained ambiguity about its own atomic arsenal, neither officially confirming nor denying it exists, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has estimated it has 90 nuclear warheads. 'A new road' Iran's health ministry says at least 627 civilians were killed and 4,900 injured during the war with Israel. Retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on Israel killed 28 people, Israeli authorities say. During the war, Iran arrested dozens of people it accused of spying for Israel, also saying it seized equipment including drones and weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's parliament on Sunday voted to ban the unauthorised use of communications equipment, including tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, said the official news agency IRNA. On Sunday, Washington's envoy to Turkey said the Iran-Israel war could pave the way for a new Middle East. 'What just happened between Israel and Iran is an opportunity for all of us to say: 'Time out. Let's create a new road',' Ambassador Tom Barrack, who is also the US special envoy to Syria, told the Anadolu state news agency. 'The Middle East is ready to have a new dialogue, people are tired of the same old story,' he added.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Update: WTI Oil Rises as Israel and Iran Trade Attacks While the IEA Says Global Inventories are Swelling
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed up 4.3% Tuesday on concerns the conflict between Isra Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Euronews
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Iran launches second wave of 'dozens' of missiles into Israel
The Israeli Defence Forces said "dozens" of Iranian missiles were launched into Israel in a second wave of strikes in the early hours of Saturday. Sirens and the boom of explosions, possible from Israeli interceptors, could be heard in the sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The IDF said "some of the missiles were intercepted," adding that "Search and Rescue forces are currently operating in a number of locations across the country in which reports of fallen projectiles were received." Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote that direct hits were reported in central Israel, wounding five people. It said several buildings were hit by Iranian missiles. The Israeli military urged civilians to head to shelter amid the fresh wave of missiles, but have since permitted them to leave again. US President Donald Trump has framed the volatile moment in the Middle East as a possible "second chance' for Iran's leadership to avoid further destruction "before there is nothing left and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.' Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that he had given Iran a "60 day ultimatum to make a deal", and that Friday marked "day 61." The White House has insisted that Washington was not involved in Israel's military operation, although anonymous US officials have said the Trump administration was aware in advance of Israel's planned large-scale attacks on Iran. In an interview with ABC News on Friday morning, Trump said the Israeli attack on Iran was 'excellent' and again previewed more attacks to come. 'We gave them a chance and they didn't take it,' Trump told ABC's Jon Karl. 'They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more.' The US president pressed on Iran as he met his national security team in the Situation Room on Friday to discuss the tricky path forward following Israel's devastating strikes, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to keep up for 'as many days as it takes' to decapitate Iran's nuclear programme. While the White House said it had no involvement in the strikes, Trump highlighted that Israel used its deep arsenal of weaponry provided by the US to target Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials. In the aftermath of the Israeli strikes, the US is shifting its military resources, including ships, in the Middle East as it looks to guard against possible retaliatory attacks by Tehran, according to two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House. As Israel stepped up planning for strikes in recent weeks, Iran had signalled the United States would be held responsible in the event of an Israeli attack. The warning was issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even as he engaged in talks with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. Friday's strikes came as Trump planned to dispatch Witkoff to Oman on Sunday for the next round of talks with the Iranian foreign minister. Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehran's nuclear program, but it's unclear if the Iranians will participate, according to US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions. Trump also spoke Friday with British Prime Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron about the evolving situation, as well as Netanyahu.
