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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Séamas O'Reilly: Once proud defenders of Israel are beginning to backtrack — why now?
You may have noticed it recently. Once proud defenders of Israel's war on Gaza beginning to backtrack a little. A column here, a radio segment there. A sense that sensible, moderate opinion has shifted slightly in every direction you care to look. A dozen or more articles in Britain's broadsheet press, statements from its foreign secretary David Lammy, and Tory MP Mark Pritchard, all expressing their strongest criticism yet of Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people. These, alongside increasingly assertive mentions from both French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz, the latter the most public break from Israel by a German leader in many years. In most of the above cases, their change in tone is not entirely full-throated, couched in enough waffle and caveats that we must deduce the overall effect is intended as 'it's been fine up until now, but this is suddenly too much'. In the case of those political leaders finding their voice anew, their statements uniformly lack the legislative penalties or sanctions that are in their power to bring to bear, nor even strong proposals that such actions are in the post. Given all that has happened for the past 19 months, it's natural to feel a sense of underwhelm, or even anger, when reading these oddly abrupt tip-toeings toward common sense; there is a temptation to dismiss these statements as extremely cynical people arriving much, much too late at one of the easiest moral conclusions any of us could face in our entire lives. For now, I will resist that urge, since anyone invested in justice for the Palestinian people should welcome any institutional shift which makes that justice more likely, no matter how venal or steeped in self-interest it might seem. But, if we are witnessing some small sea change, we are within our rights to ponder how it has come about. And to ask a question I haven't seen examined too closely anywhere else: why now? Certainly, the situation in Palestine is dire. At least 54,000 Palestinians are confirmed dead, with another 120,000 wounded. These are, we must remind ourselves, conservative estimates, the exact numbers likely unknowable. More than 70% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, including not just homes, places of worship, hospitals, schools, universities, essential services, and engineering projects, but the offices of the very civic bodies that might catalogue and record the genocide unfolding around them. A situation only worsened by the unparalleled killing of journalists, media workers, doctors, and medics, who could report on, or ameliorate the death and destruction being meted out to an entire population. In January, The Lancet estimated that, given these handicaps, the Gaza Health Ministry has likely underestimated traumatic death injuries by over 40% and the correct figure is likely to be closer to 80,000. This does not account for killings in the five months since that report was published, nor do any of the above figures include death by malnutrition and disease. On that latter front, things are especially bleak. Israel has bottlenecked aid going into Gaza throughout their offensive, and blocked it entirely since March, effectively instating famine in the territory. Last week, Palestinian Authority Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan said that 29 children and elderly people had died of 'starvation-related deaths' in just the past few days. A report by the IPC earlier this month said that '71,000 children under the age of five in Gaza are expected to experience acute malnourishment from April 2025 to March 2026'. Gazans have sought refuge in cramped and unsanitary tent camps. There, too, they are not safe from violent death, with the UN reporting last Thursday that, of the 629 Palestinians killed in the previous week, 'at least 358 were killed because of attacks targeting houses and tents for displaced people, with children and women comprising at least 148 of the victims'. Everything mentioned above — the bombing of schools, hospitals and civic infrastructure, the murder of journalists and medics, the blocking of aid and direct targeting of refugee camps — is a war crime. And all of it has been going on for almost the entirety of this conflict, in full view of the global community, with near-total impunity from the US, UK and EU authorities, and a sizeable section of those nations' media classes. So, it is fair to ask, what has changed in the past few weeks? Most of these latecomers to criticism of Israel have centred on its government's recent vow to permanently occupy and resettle Gaza, as part of Operation Gideon's Chariot. Certainly, these plans are horrifying, and the glee with which they have been pronounced provides little room for nuance. 'We are conquering, cleansing, and remaining in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed,' said Israel's far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich last week. 'We are disassembling Gaza, and leaving it in ruins with unprecedented destruction, and the world still hasn't stopped us.' One might ask how such statements now merit such close attention when they have been consistent and ubiquitous from senior Israeli ministers since 2024 and, in fact, many decades before. Or how this, the permanent forced displacement of Gaza's two million inhabitants, differs so drastically from the wanton murder and starvation that's been meted out to them up to this point, or the fact that almost the entire population of the region has been displaced for the past year or more. But I'll stop asking 'why now?', since it's unlikely we'll find any answer that makes sense, and there is a more pressing ask on the horizon. If this is a sea change in moral clarity among those who've lacked it for so long, and a recognition of the horror that has been done with their full complicity for the past year and a half, we should welcome it with just one further question: 'what are you willing to do about it?'. Read More Séamas O'Reilly: We have elevated AI that almost never works as well as what it replaces
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Glasgow politicians question decision to axe rappers Kneecap from TRNSMT
"Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision." Glasgow politicians have questioned the decision to axe Irish language rappers Kneecap from TRNSMT. The Belfast trio announced they have been removed from the music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety on Wednesday. It led to them revealing a replacement gig "to try to make up for it" at the O2 Academy in July, which has seen a pre sale sell out in 80 seconds. Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux has questioned Police Scotland's position on TRNSMT and pointed out they routinely manage "major events." He said: "The police position on this is deeply questionable. We are talking about one band, playing for around 45 minutes, in six weeks' time, in a secure, ticketed, bag-searched environment. It stretches credibility to claim that this presents an insurmountable operational problem when the police routinely manage major events and demonstrations in the city. "In all of this one thing matters more than anything and that's that Kneecap isn't the story. The genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the story and we all have a duty to speak out on that." Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP James Dornan said: "I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can't guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision." Controversy over the gig had been growing with First Minister John Swinney calling for the performers to be dropped from the line-up. Glasgow SNP and Scottish Greens councillors were not in favour of the group being axed from TRNSMT. The artists attracted criticism after footage emerged from 2023 appearing to show one of them saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A member of the group has also been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts said Kneecap would not perform on July 11 due to concerns expressed by the police about safety. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. "Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. "We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival."
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Politicians blast Police Scotland over Kneecap TRNSMT axe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLITICIANS have blasted Police Scotland after Kneecap was axed from the TRNSMT lineup. The controversial rap group have faced backlash after videos emerged from performances in 2023 where they urged audience members to "Kill your local MP" and claimed "The only good Tory is a dead Tory." Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Kneecap were dropped from the TRNSMT lineup earlier this week Credit: Reuters 3 They were set to perform at the Glasgow Green festival on July 11 Credit: Roddy Scott 3 Now, Glasgow politician's have blasted Police Scotland's stance on their TRNSMT gig Credit: Alamy The self-proclaimed "Republican hoods" were set to perform on Friday, July 11, at the Glasgow Green festival - coinciding with the eve of the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne and the Orange Order march. Further controversy surrounded Kneecap's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí after one member was charged with terror offences. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the moniker Mo Chara, was charged last week by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly displaying a flag supporting the terrorist organisation Hezbollah. And on Wednesday, the band was dropped from TRNSMT amid growing calls for their removal from the festival's lineup. Kneecap released a statement on social media saying they could no longer perform at the event "due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event". They apologised to fans and announced a new gig at Glasgow's O2 Academy on July 8 in a bid to "make up for it". Now, Glasgow politicians have hit out at Police Scotland's stance on the TRNSMT performance- branding the decision "questionable." Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux said: 'The police position on this is deeply questionable. We are talking about one band, playing for around 45 minutes, in six weeks' time, in a secure, ticketed, bag-searched environment. It stretches credibility to claim that this presents an insurmountable operational problem when the police routinely manage major events and demonstrations in the city. 'In all of this one thing matters more than anything and that's that Kneecap isn't the story. The genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the story and we all have a duty to speak out on that.' Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP James Dornan said: 'I'm truly concerned by the police statement that Kneecap should not play at TRNSMT because they can't guarantee their safety. Who exactly is threatening them? Israel? Supporters of genocide? Anti Irish protesters? Who exactly? This is an extremely worrying decision.' Kneecap perform surprise gig in London hours after rapper Liam O'Hanna, 27, charged with terror offence A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. 'Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. 'We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.' A spokesperson for TRNSMT said: 'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July. We thank fans for their understanding."
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Foreigners claim £1bn a month in benefits
Benefits claims by households with at least one foreign national have doubled to nearly £1 billion a month in the past three years, government figures show. Households with at least one claimant who is a foreign national received £941 million in March this year, up from £461 million in March 2022, representing nearly a sixth of the month's Universal Credit payments. The figures are likely to reinforce calls for restrictions on benefits for migrants, which Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, urged Rachel Reeves to consider in a leaked memo seen by The Telegraph. Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, is already facing a growing backbench rebellion over her plans to cut welfare spending. Funding two months of benefits for households with foreign nationals cancels out the £1.4 billion the Government saved by axing winter fuel payments. Experts suggested the increase reflected a surge in the number of asylum seekers being granted refugee status and in net migration. Foreign nationals become eligible for Universal Credit and other benefits on the same terms as British citizens once they are granted either indefinite leave to remain or refugee status. Writing in The Telegraph, Neil O'Brien, a former Tory health minister who uncovered the data, said: 'The growth of benefit spending and the rate of migration are both much too fast, and the Government is doing far too little to change either trend. 'Migrants know that if they can make it to the UK, they will be allowed to stay. As long as that is true, we'll see more and more coming. Our soft-touch welfare state makes this worse.' Graham Stringer, a senior Labour backbencher and former leader of Manchester City Council, said that such vast spending on foreign claimants should not be a priority. He said: 'Given the state of the country's finances, everything has to be looked at and reassessed. This expenditure [on foreign claimants] in my opinion is not a priority. 'We have to be absolutely clear on what our priorities are and in my view these people are not a priority. It has to be judged against potential cuts in PIPs [Personal Independence Payments] and the winter fuel allowance and other benefits that may be cut for British citizens.' The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that Ms Rayner told Ms Reeves to consider making it harder for immigrants to gain access to Universal Credit, by raising the fee they must pay for using the NHS and restricting their access to the state pension. Ms Rayner's memo warned that, because of the high rates of immigration in the early 2020s, there would be an increase in the number of people becoming eligible for indefinite leave to remain, entitling them to state benefits. The data, obtained for the first time under freedom of information laws from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), shows that the amount of Universal Credit being claimed by foreign nationals has risen by nearly 30 per cent in a year, from £726 million to £941 million in March. This accounted for 15.5 per cent of the total £6.05 billion payments of Universal Credit that month, up from 14.1 per cent in March 2022 but down slightly since when Labour won the general election in July last year. The rising costs follow soaring net migration, which after Brexit reached a record high of more than 900,000 in 2023. The DWP defines a foreign claimant as a non-Common Travel Area (CTA) national – someone who does not hold British or Irish nationality. Its analysis only included payments to households that are made to 'claimants who have a non-CTA nationality and have passed the Habitual Resident Test (HRT).' HRT checks that an individual has a right to reside in the UK and is 'factually habitually resident' in the UK. The DWP said joint claims that include at least one non-British or Irish national will be classed as foreign, even if other members of the household are British nationals. Sir Keir Starmer announced a crackdown on net migration earlier this month that included proposals to extend eligibility for indefinite leave to remain from the current five years to 10 years, effectively denying tens of thousands access to benefits for longer. Under his plans, migrants will only be able to 'earn' citizenship earlier if they can show a 'real and lasting contribution' to the economy and society. It comes as Reform seeks to capture its first seat in Scotland in a by-election in Hamilton by capitalising on its plans for net zero immigration and restoring the winter fuel allowance. A government spokesman said: 'We inherited a spiralling benefits system that was out of control. Since last July, we have reduced the proportion of benefit payments to nationals outside the British Isles. 'Refugees and non-UK or Irish citizens can only access these payments once their immigration status is formally verified by the Home Office, and they satisfy strict tests.' By Neil O'Brien The soaring bill for Universal Credit payments to people from overseas is the tip of the iceberg. Universal Credit only accounts for about half of working age welfare spending, and the DWP is so far refusing to release the same data for other benefits. And cash benefits are only part of the story. For example, around half of all the council housing in Greater London is occupied by households where the head of the household was born abroad. Of these tenants, around a half are in work, and a half are not. Many of those who commute a long way into the capital, paying a fortune to stand on a crowded tube or train, wonder whether it is fair. For those who have paid in their taxes, it is frustrating to see others who have newly arrived in the country able to access benefits and services without having paid in. The growth of benefit spending and the rate of migration are both much too fast, and the Government is doing far too little to change either trend. Keir Starmer promised to 'smash the gangs', but the number of people crossing the channel is up nearly a third compared to the same period last year. We recently saw a record smashed for the largest number crossing illegally in one day. Having promised to close migrant hotels, the Government has opened more. Starmer was warned by experts like the former head of Border Force, Tony Smith, that simply trying to improve enforcement would fail, unless factors that pull migrants here are addressed. Migrants know that if they can make it to the UK, they will be allowed to stay. As long as that is true, we'll see more and more coming. Our soft-touch welfare state makes this worse. Every week there is some new example of the abuse of human rights law to allow dangerous people to stay in the UK. A Ugandan murderer who clubbed a man to death in the back of a London ambulance wasn't deported because it would be bad for his mental health. A Pakistani paedophile won the right to stay because he risks being persecuted for his crimes back home. There are 17,428 foreign national offenders living in the UK whose deportation the Home Office considers to be in the public interest, but who have not been deported, and the figure just keeps rising. Meanwhile, spending on sickness and disability benefits is forecast to grow to £100 billion by the end of this parliament, double the rate of 2008. Despite this, the present Government has abandoned plans to tighten the Work Capability Assessment, which means 400,000 more people will be signed off as unfit to work. The Government has also trailed plans to spend a further £3.5 billion a year removing the two-child cap on benefits. Both the explosion of welfare spending and the surging numbers arriving in small boats are driven by the same rights culture. Sadly, we have a PM who is a human rights lawyer, who used to sign letters opposing the deportation of criminals. As long as he's in office, the bills for those who play by the rules will just keep on rising. Neil O'Brien is the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston and is a shadow education minister 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.
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
SNP ministers slammed over pay rises as frontline services set to miss out on £450,000
Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy accused ministers of 'pulling the wool over people's eyes' 'SHAMELESS SPIN' SNP ministers slammed over pay rises as frontline services set to miss out on £450,000 SNP ministers were slammed over their pay rises - which will see frontline services miss out on almost £450,000. All top Nats have accepted a £19,126 annual boost, apart from John Swinney after he ended their MSP salary freeze introduced in 2009. Advertisement 2 Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said John Swinney should apologise Credit: Alamy 2 Ivan McKee boasted an extra £166,000 would be available Credit: Getty The 'minister' add-ons to their wages will still stay the same. Public finance chief Ivan McKee this week boasted this would make an extra £166,000 available for the NHS, schools and councils. But it would have been over £600,000 if the First Minister hadn't approved his team's bumper increases. Social care minister Maree Todd claimed the £439,898-a-year bill for 23 cabinet secretaries and others 'won't cost the public purse a penny'. Advertisement But Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: 'This exposes shameless SNP spin. The rises are a reward for 18 years of failure. 'Ministers tried to pull the wool over people's eyes rather than be straight about how it will hit public services. John Swinney should apologise for this misinformation.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'Ministerial and MSP salaries are set and paid by the Scottish Parliament.' We recently told how around one in six Scots are languishing on NHS waiting lists - more than double since the start of the pandemic five years ago. Advertisement Shocking figures reveal 860,925 are hanging on for crucial diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT and MRI scans, as well as inpatient and outpatient treatment. SNP chiefs were savaged by rivals as the backlog showed no signs of easing, despite pledges from First Minister John Swinney, Nicola Sturgeon and a string of health secretaries that they would fix the NHS. Jenny Gilruth accused of 'playing truant' after her parliament no-show The numbers languishing have increased, hitting 600,000 in June 2021, before rising to 700,000 in March 2022. They hit a record high in June last year just after John Swinney replaced Humza Yousaf in Bute House, with 868,924 forced to wait for tests or appointments. Advertisement The rise comes despite the Scottish Government vowing to cut waits and increase treatment slots in its August 2021 NHS Recovery plan.
