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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer's turn against Israel will prolong war
Israel is now grappling with possibly the last phases of eliminating the Hamas terrorist threat. Instead of support from a unified West determined to extirpate terrorism, however, Jerusalem is under attack for attempting exactly that. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'horrified' by Israel's recent 'escalation'. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the 'dark new phase in this conflict,' suspended trade negotiations with Israel, and said it should agree to a cease-fire to free remaining hostages, as if that were Jerusalem's only legitimate objective. Last week, a gunman in Washington brutally murdered two Israeli embassy employees, chanting 'free, free Palestine' while being arrested. Thereafter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Starmer and others were 'on the wrong side' of justice, humanity and history. Starmer has not responded. Before he does, he should at least check the history. Immediately after Hamas's barbaric October 7, 2023, invasion, Netanyahu declared that Israel would seek Hamas's political and military destruction. This was an entirely legitimate exercise of UN Charter Article 51, which affirms 'the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense.' Jerusalem was not limited to a 'proportional' response, something comparable to the Hamas terrorist attack, any more than America was limited to a 'proportional' response to Pearl Harbor. States are entitled not merely to repel threats, but to destroy them, as the allies did to Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Moreover, clear from the outset and becoming clearer by the day as new information emerges, Hamas's attack was part of Iran's 'ring of fire strategy' against Israel, a strategy implemented by the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Just to remind, 'Quds' is an Arabic term for Jerusalem, celebrated on Ramadan's last day by Palestinians as 'Quds Day.' Implementing its 'ring' strategy, Tehran created or fostered a chain of terrorist groups: Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Shia militias in Iraq. Bashar al-Assad's Syria was a key ally. The anti-Israel strategy unfolded across the Middle East immediately after October 7. From the beginning, Israel saw Gaza as part of a wider war, not merely a discrete conflict. Now far more evident than at the outset, however, is the war's economic dimension, a critical factor long before October 7. Iran and other regional states, groups and individuals provided billions of dollars, directly and through international agencies like UNRWA, ostensibly for humanitarian aid. Tragically, however, as we now know, Hamas diverted much of these 'humanitarian' resources to build Gaza's underground fortress of tunnel networks; armed itself to the hilt (including with missile arsenals capable of menacing all Israel); and effectively mobilised most Gazans to serve as human shields for that fortress. If Hamas kept adequate records that can be recovered, the story will embarrass those who enabled this massive fraud, particularly in the West. Meanwhile, Jerusalem is pursuing its post-October 7 goals, which must include eliminating all potential assets, in cash or in kind, Hamas can use to retain control over Gaza's population. Working through UNRWA over decades, Hamas seized control over the distribution of virtually all humanitarian supplies entering Gaza. Credible reports (and Hamas records, if recovered) demonstrate how the terrorists rewarded their cadres at the expense of others, using control over the internal distribution of supplies in Gaza to cement their political control. This pattern is nothing new. After the first Gulf War, Saddam Hussein used the UN's 'Oil for Food' programme to gain control over Iraq's population. As originally conceived, an intrusive UN presence would use Iraq's oil revenues for humanitarian aid to its people, thus ensuring the non-political delivery of assistance to the truly needy, while also demonstrating to Iraqis that Saddam had effectively lost control of his country. He repeatedly rejected this model, until the Clinton administration conceded that his regime would disburse Oil-for-Food aid. That mistake helped Saddam reinforce his authoritarian grip, repress Kurds and other dissidents, and again threaten his neighbours, Hamas has thus simply been following Saddam's plan. Israel, by contrast, has followed principles Herbert Hoover first articulated in World War I when he organised relief programs in Europe, starting in Belgium. Hoover ordered that no aid would go to combatants, and that his volunteers would distribute the aid, or at least rigorously monitor delivery to prevent diversion to combatants. Hamas scorned Hoover's principles, and continues to do so. Comments by Starmer, Lammy and others ignore both the reality in Gaza today and Hoover's wise admonitions about ensuring that relief goes to those who actually need it, not those who use the aid to oppress them. Israel has a plan to aid Gazans, backed by Washington but opposed by the UN. Instead of criticising Israel, Starmer should support and help perfect Jerusalem's plan and thereby properly deliver humanitarian assistance. The only way Gazans can ever be free is to eliminate the curse of Hamas. And because Gaza is part of Iran's larger war against Israel and the West, that will happen only when Iranians are free of the ayatollahs. That should be our common goal. John Bolton is a former US National Security Adviser Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Arab League summit begins in Baghdad with Gaza at top of agenda
In March, at an emergency summit in Cairo, Arab leaders endorsed a proposed plan for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip without displacing its roughly two million residents. Saturday's summit comes two months after after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January. In recent days, Israel has launched widespread attacks in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a further escalation of force to pursue his aim of destroying Hamas. The Baghdad meeting was upstaged by US President Donald Trump's tour in the region earlier in the week. Mr Trump's visit did not usher in a deal for a new ceasefire in Gaza as many had hoped, but he grabbed headlines by meeting with new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa – who had once fought against US forces in Iraq – and promising to remove US sanctions imposed on Syria. Mr al-Sharaa was not attending the summit in Baghdad, where Syria's delegation was headed by foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shia militias and political factions are wary of Mr al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant and had pushed back against his invitation to the summit. Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Mr al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the American-led invasion in 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. During Syria's conflict that began in March 2011, several Iraqi Shia militias fought alongside the forces of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, making Mr al-Sharaa today a particularly sensitive figure for them. Iraq, which has strong – and sometimes conflicting – ties with both the United States and Iran, has sought to strike a difficult balance between them and to position itself as a regional mediator. An Iraqi political official said that Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the summit, and 'conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations' for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.
Leaders
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Arab League Summit to Convene in Baghdad amid Regional crises
Regional leaders are to gather in Baghdad on Saturday for the annual Arab League summit, focusing primarily on the ongoing Gaza crisis. The summit aims to address pressing issues affecting the region, particularly the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In March, Arab leaders convened an emergency summit in Cairo, endorsing a reconstruction plan for Gaza. This plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip without displacing its approximately 2 million residents. The current summit follows Israel's recent military actions, which have escalated tensions significantly. This summit occurs two months after Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, which had been established in January. In recent days, Israel launched extensive attacks in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising further military escalation. His government aims to dismantle Hamas completely, intensifying the conflict. Impact of U.S. Presidential Visit The Baghdad meeting coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's regional tour earlier this week. Although many hoped for a new ceasefire deal, Trump's visit did not yield significant results. Instead, he made headlines by meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who previously fought against U.S. forces in Iraq. Al-Sharaa did not attend the summit, as Syria's delegation was led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shiite militias and political factions expressed concerns about al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant. They had previously pushed back against his invitation to the summit. Iraq's Balancing Act Iraq maintains complex ties with both the United States and Iran, striving to balance these relationships. An anonymous Iraqi political official revealed that Iran's Quds Force commander, Esmail Ghaani, visited Baghdad before the summit. He conveyed messages of support for Iranian-American negotiations regarding a nuclear deal. The Arab League summit in Baghdad represents a critical moment for regional leaders to address the Gaza crisis and other pressing issues. As tensions rise, the outcomes of this summit could significantly impact the future of Arab unity and regional stability. Short link : Post Views: 5
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Arab League summit begins in Baghdad with Gaza at top of agenda
In March, at an emergency summit in Cairo, Arab leaders endorsed a proposed plan for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip without displacing its roughly two million residents. Saturday's summit comes two months after after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January. In recent days, Israel has launched widespread attacks in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a further escalation of force to pursue his aim of destroying Hamas. The Baghdad meeting was upstaged by US President Donald Trump's tour in the region earlier in the week. Mr Trump's visit did not usher in a deal for a new ceasefire in Gaza as many had hoped, but he grabbed headlines by meeting with new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa – who had once fought against US forces in Iraq – and promising to remove US sanctions imposed on Syria. Mr al-Sharaa was not attending the summit in Baghdad, where Syria's delegation was headed by foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shia militias and political factions are wary of Mr al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant and had pushed back against his invitation to the summit. Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Mr al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the American-led invasion in 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. During Syria's conflict that began in March 2011, several Iraqi Shia militias fought alongside the forces of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, making Mr al-Sharaa today a particularly sensitive figure for them. Iraq, which has strong – and sometimes conflicting – ties with both the United States and Iran, has sought to strike a difficult balance between them and to position itself as a regional mediator. An Iraqi political official said that Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the summit, and 'conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations' for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.
Leader Live
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Arab League summit begins in Baghdad with Gaza at top of agenda
In March, at an emergency summit in Cairo, Arab leaders endorsed a proposed plan for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip without displacing its roughly two million residents. Saturday's summit comes two months after after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January. In recent days, Israel has launched widespread attacks in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a further escalation of force to pursue his aim of destroying Hamas. The Baghdad meeting was upstaged by US President Donald Trump's tour in the region earlier in the week. Mr Trump's visit did not usher in a deal for a new ceasefire in Gaza as many had hoped, but he grabbed headlines by meeting with new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa – who had once fought against US forces in Iraq – and promising to remove US sanctions imposed on Syria. Mr al-Sharaa was not attending the summit in Baghdad, where Syria's delegation was headed by foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shia militias and political factions are wary of Mr al-Sharaa's past as a Sunni militant and had pushed back against his invitation to the summit. Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Mr al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the American-led invasion in 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. During Syria's conflict that began in March 2011, several Iraqi Shia militias fought alongside the forces of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, making Mr al-Sharaa today a particularly sensitive figure for them. Iraq, which has strong – and sometimes conflicting – ties with both the United States and Iran, has sought to strike a difficult balance between them and to position itself as a regional mediator. An Iraqi political official said that Iran's Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the summit, and 'conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations' for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.
