Latest news with #foreign ministers


The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Group of 25 countries tell Israel to end the war ‘now'
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and 24 other foreign ministers, along with the EU's Commissioner for Equality, have condemned Israel for depriving Gazans of "human dignity". They urged the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on aid flow and called for the war to "end now", describing the suffering of civilians as having reached "new depths". The ministers stated that proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a "humanitarian city" in Rafah are "completely unacceptable" and constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. They condemned the "drip feeding of aid" and the killing of hundreds of Palestinians while seeking assistance, calling Israel's denial of essential humanitarian aid unacceptable. Mr Lammy later told the Commons that ignoring calls from the UK and other nations for the war in Gaza to end is "tarnishing greatly the reputation of Israel".


The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Israel depriving Gazans of ‘human dignity', say UK and 24 other countries in call to end war now
Foreign secretary David Lammy has joined other foreign ministers in condemning the Israeli government for depriving Gazans 'of human dignity'. Mr Lammy and his counterparts from 24 other countries, including France, Australia and Canada, along with the European Union's commissioner for equality, urged the Israeli government to ' immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid'. They called for the war to 'end now' and described proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah as 'completely unacceptable'. In a statement shared on Monday afternoon, the politicians said: 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity. 'We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.' They said it is 'horrifying' that hundreds of Palestinians 'have been killed while seeking aid' and that the 'Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable'. The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. In the statement, the countries say they 'strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the occupied Palestinian territories'. The foreign ministers reiterated calls for the remaining people being held hostage by Hamas to be released and asked for 'all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law'. They urged the international community to 'unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire'. Earlier in July, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz laid out plans for the 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, Gaza's most southern city, which has been heavily damaged during the war. He reportedly said that the military would initially move 600,000 Palestinians there, with the aim of eventually transferring the whole population to Rafah. 'Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a 'humanitarian city' are completely unacceptable,' the foreign ministers said on Monday. 'Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.' The signatories also pledged that they would be 'prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire'.

The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Gaza war ‘must end now', say Lammy and 24 other foreign ministers
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and foreign ministers from 24 other nations have condemned the Israeli government for depriving Gazans of "human dignity" and urged an immediate lifting of aid restrictions. The group, including representatives from France, Australia, and Canada, described proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a "humanitarian city" in Rafah as "completely unacceptable" and a violation of international law. They criticised the "drip feeding of aid" and the "inhumane killing of civilians" seeking basic necessities, saying that hundreds have died while trying to access assistance. The ministers said "the war in Gaza must end now" with an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire". They also reiterated demands for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.


The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Israel depriving Gazans of ‘human dignity', says UK and 25 other countries in call to end war now
David Lammy has joined other foreign ministers in condemning the Israeli government for depriving Gazans "of human dignity" as they called for the war to "end now". The foreign secretary and counterparts from 24 other nations including Australia, Canada and France, plus the EU commissioner for equality, urged the Israeli government to "immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid". They also described proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Rafah as "completely unacceptable".


Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE, other Arab countries reject foreign interference in Syria, condemn Israeli attacks
Amid the increased attacks on Syria, the UAE, along with other Arab countries, has issued a joint statement in regards to supporting the country's government and rebuilding. The statement comes after foreign ministers of the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Egypt held intensive talks over the past two days on the developments in Syria. They agreed on a unified position and joint efforts to support the Syrian government in rebuilding Syria on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, sovereignty, and the rights of all its citizens. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In a joint statement, the ministers rejected all foreign interference in Syrian affairs. They also welcomed the agreement to end the crisis in As-Suwayda, and emphasised the need to implement it to protect Syria, its unity, and its citizens, in a manner that spares Syrian blood and ensures the protection of civilians, the rule of law, and the rule of law. The group also welcomed the commitment of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara'a to hold accountable all those responsible for violations against Syrian citizens in As-Suwayda, and supporting all efforts to establish security, the rule of law, and the rule of law in As-Suwayda and throughout Syria, in addition to rejecting violence, sectarianism, and attempts to spread discord, incitement, and hatred. They further condemned and rejected the repeated Israeli attacks on the Syria, considering them a flagrant violation of international law and a blatant assault on Syria's sovereignty, destabilising its security, stability, territorial integrity, and citizens, and undermining the Syrian government's efforts to build a new Syria that achieves the aspirations and choices of its brotherly people. They emphasised that Syria's security and stability are a pillar of regional security and stability and a shared priority. Lastly, the ministers called on the international community to support the Syrian government in the reconstruction process, and called on the Security Council to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to ensure Israel's full withdrawal from the occupied Syrian territories, the cessation of all Israeli hostilities against Syria and interference in its affairs, and the implementation of Resolution 2766 and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.