Latest news with #KarenShentonStone
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey's chief minister appalled by events in Gaza
Jersey's chief minister said he was "absolutely appalled and distressed at the tragic circumstances that continue to unfold in Gaza".Deputy Lyndon Farnham was responding to a question asked in the States Assembly on Tuesday by Constable Karen Shenton Stone, who asked if he would commit Jersey to use its voice and resources to ensure aid can reach Shenton Stone quoted a UN-backed assessment which found the entire population of Gaza was at critical risk of security cabinet said it had approved, in principle, a plan to deliver aid through private companies, which would end a two-month blockade the UN said had caused severe food shortages, despite opposition from the UN and its humanitarian partners, who say they will not co-operate because it appears to "weaponise" aid. The assessment said Gaza's population of about 2.1 million Palestinians is at "critical risk" of famine and faces "extreme levels of food insecurity" as an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid addressing the chief minister, Shenton-Stone referred to the island's recent 80th anniversary of Liberation Day where islanders reflected on their "experiences of starvation during occupation".Farnham responded: "There is a potential for a major famine unfolding in Gaza and everyone needs to work together to end this situation as soon as possible and Jersey will play its part."The UK is responsible for the defence and foreign affairs of the island, but Jersey's external relations minister meets with counterparts in Westminster to advocate for Jersey's interests on the international stage. 'Making our views known' Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military offensive against Hamas which includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory, according to an Israeli chief minister said: "I strongly endorse a recent common statement made by the UK's minister for the Middle East in parliament in which he outlined the UK government's fierce opposition to any of expansion of the Israeli defence forces operation in Gaza including the reported plans for a full military operation."I know the external relations minister and his team are making our views known vociferously in Westminster and we will continue to do so."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Crowds gather to mark Jersey's Liberation Day 2025
Eighty years on from Liberation Day - 9 May 1945 - Jersey residents have come together for a day of commemoration and of marks a key moment in the history of the island as after five years the occupying forces day has been filled with events - from memorial services to parades and speeches and a re-enactment of the arrival of the liberating troops in who lived through the German Occupation, who evacuated ahead of it beginning and those whose relatives endured those five long years have shared their stories throughout the day. A message from King Charles III The monarch's representative in Jersey - Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd - shared a message from King Charles in Liberation Square in St King sent his "very warmest greetings", and said he and the Queen's thoughts were with the people of Jersey "on this most significant day".He recalled a trip to Jersey in 1995, to unveil the Liberation Sculpture on behalf of my his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, on the 50th anniversary of Liberation."That monument remains not only a poignant reminder of the trials and hardships that the people of Jersey endured during the Second World War, but also the jubilation they felt when finally this came to an end on the 9 May 1945," he King said he and the Queen would "be with the people of Jersey now and in the years to come". St Martin Constable Karen Shenton Stone said history must not be taken for granted in a speech in Liberation Square where she shared her relatives' Occupation said: "Let this island forever be known for its democracy and inclusion, its freedom and community, if it makes us an exception - then so be it."Where others may forget, let these five years echo in our eternity, because we must never return to the dark days of the Occupation." Among the crowds in St Helier on Liberation Day was Maureen St George, who was 12 years old on 9 May 1945."I remember everything, it was a lovely, lovely day," she St George added: "Everybody was so happy, and the troops, the Army, were throwing us sweets and things, it was wonderful."The 92-year-old said she would "never forget that day". 'Let us all stand together' The Bailiff of Jersey Sir Timothy Le Cocq was among those to give speeches at a Service of was Mr Le Cocq's final Liberation Day speech, as he is expected to retire in ended the speech by saying: "As we mark this 80th anniversary, let us all stand together as members of our island community, who are all, whether born here of not, inheritors of a legacy, a legacy of endurance, of hope, and of liberation."Thank you all for being a part of this day."Thank you for remembering, and thank you for helping to carry the memory forward." Hundreds of people gathered for a service to mark the contribution of the International Red Cross ship the SS arrived in the Channel Islands on 30 December 1944 carrying more than 119,000 standard food parcels on its first ship continued its vital supply missions throughout the Occupation and after the island's liberation in May at the memorial, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said: "This ship, though modest in size, holds enormous significance for us, especially for the many islanders here today whose families lived through the hardship and uncertainty of those occupation years." At about 15:00 BST, crowds gathered at Westmount to remember the slaves from Nazi-occupied countries who died in the island during World War members of nine families descended from forced and slave workers also gathered to pay their respects. There were plenty of celebrations around the parishes in Jersey, including the Liberation Day church service in St Vane was there wearing his grandfather's medals from World War Two and the Korean said: "I think it's really important to remember and to continue that legacy, to remember the freedoms that we have and enjoy today are because of the people that served during the Second World War, and the First World War for that matter."We can't be too complacent about it, it's really important in our history, and I think it's important that we carry it on."
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
States Code of Conduct revision aims 'to build trust'
States Code of Conduct revision 'to build trust' The Privileges and Procedures Committee said the revision followed a consultation period A revised Code of Conduct for the States Assembly has been proposed following a report found there was a lack of trust in the institution. The 2024 Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey Report found the States Assembly was "the least trusted institution in the island", the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) said. It said the revision followed a consultation period where members were asked to identify changes they would like to make to rules against which their behaviours were judged. Chair of PPC Constable Karen Shenton Stone said the rules were "fundamental to building trust and respect in our Assembly".
