Latest news with #sanctions
Al Jazeera
18 minutes ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Macron threatens sanctions on Israelis over Gaza aid crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that his country could 'apply sanctions' against Israelis unless the government in Tel Aviv responds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking during a visit to Singapore on Friday, Macron said the international community could not remain passive while Palestinians in Gaza face a deepening hunger crisis. The comments raise further the international pressure building on Israel, which has blockaded the Palestinian enclave for close to three months, with aid agencies warning of famine. 'The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,' Macron said at a joint news conference alongside Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. 'If there is no response in the coming hours and days in line with the humanitarian situation, we will have to harden our collective position,' he added, suggesting that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers. Israel recently said it was bowing to international pressure and would allow 'minimal' supplies of food and medicine into Gaza, on which it continues to wage an intense military assault. However, the trickle of aid entering the strip under the control of a new NGO backed by Israel and the United States has been accompanied by looting and violence. In his comments, Macron called for an end to assumptions that Israel is respecting human rights. 'But I still hope that the government of Israel will change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response,' he added. The French leader also stressed that recognition of a Palestinian state is 'not only a moral duty, but a political necessity,' although he added that its establishment would need to come under specific conditions. His remarks followed a joint statement earlier in the week with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto condemning any Israeli plans to seize control of Gaza or expel its population. Paris is hoping to rally momentum for a conditional recognition of Palestinian statehood, which would require, among other things, the demilitarisation of Hamas. French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting between June 17-20, to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. However, some diplomats and experts suggest that such moves would infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits. Despite some aid starting to trickle into Gaza after the Israeli blockade, the humanitarian crisis remains dire. Experts warn that one in five people faces imminent starvation. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private initiative supported by the United States and Israel, expanded its relief operations on Thursday. But the group's efforts have been widely condemned by the United Nations and other agencies as insufficient, poorly managed and not adhering to humanitarian principles. GHF centres have become sites of chaos, violence, and desperation with scenes of disorder running through the week as huge numbers of hungry people have overwhelmed security forces at distribution points. An Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza reported on Friday that several people were wounded by Israeli army gunfire in the centre of the enclave as they tried to reach an aid distribution point set up by GHF. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said on Friday that it was prepared to deliver supplies – including food parcels, hygiene kits and medical aid – from its warehouses in Amman, just a few hours' drive from Gaza, if allowed access. Meanwhile, talks over a ceasefire in Israel's war with the Palestinian armed group Hamas continue, with the US having put forward a new proposal. Hamas has said the proposal is 'still under discussion', but in its current form would only result in 'the continuation of killing and famine' in Gaza.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
France may toughen stance on Israel if Gaza aid blockade stays, says Macron
Emmanuel Macron said they may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers. (AFP pic) SINGAPORE : France could harden its position on Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, reiterating that Paris was committed to a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. 'The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,' Macron said at a joint press conference in Singapore with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. 'And so, if there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position,' Macron said, adding that France may consider applying sanctions against Israeli settlers. 'But, I still hope that the government of Israel will change its stance and that we will finally have a humanitarian response'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has hit back at growing international pressure over the war in Gaza, the deadliest fighting in decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Macron was in Singapore on a state visit and he will also deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs this year from May 30 to June 1. Deep differences between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March. Under growing international pressure, Israel partially ended an 11-week long aid blockade on Gaza 10 days ago. It has allowed a limited amount of relief to be delivered via two avenues – the United Nations or the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The French president said Paris is committed to working towards a political solution and reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state, diplomats and experts say, a move that could infuriate Israel and deepen Western splits. French officials are weighing up the move ahead of a UN conference, which France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting between June 17-20, to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to a Hamas attack in its south on Oct 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 Israelis taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The war since then has killed around 54,000 Palestinians, Palestinian health authorities say, more than in any other of the countless rounds of fighting between the two sides.
The National
4 hours ago
- Business
- The National
EU states considering new sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, says senior official
Some EU member states are considering proposing new sanctions against violent Israeli settlers accused of breaching human rights, a senior official from the bloc has said, as international pressure mounts on Israel. Last year, the EU imposed sanctions on five Israeli individuals and three entities, saying they were responsible for "serious and systematic human rights abuses" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel today is facing growing diplomatic isolation due to its war on Gaza, the chaotic nature of its humanitarian aid scheme and its expansion of settlements in the West Bank. This has all led major European partners to become more critical of it. 'The pressure is increasing, but unfortunately, we have not yet seen the kind of response from Israel that we would expect,' Olof Skoog, deputy secretary-general for political affairs at the European External Action Service, told The National. Last week, in a milestone development, the EU launched a review to assess whether Israel is in compliance with the human rights provisions laid out in its association agreement with the bloc – a move supported by 17 of its 27 member states. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that Brussels would present formal options in June for foreign ministers to consider. However, suspending the EU-Israel accord outright would require unanimity among all member states, something diplomats say is highly unlikely. 'There's no lack of consensus within the EU in support of the Palestinian people and outrage over the unacceptable humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by some measures, including the blockade from Israel,' said Mr Skoog. 'That's why there has been strong backing for a review of the association agreement, which is based on mutual respect for human rights and international law. 'The review has now begun, but it's too early to say where it will lead. Some of our member states have very close ties with Israel for historical and other reasons. They believe that maintaining direct dialogue is the best way to influence policy changes in Gaza. Others believe it's better to use our association agreement.' While most European countries continue to affirm Israel's right to self-defence, there is horror at the scale of devastation in Gaza. It is the deadliest conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in decades. The Hamas -led attacks on October 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people, with about 240 taken hostage. Israel's military response has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, health authorities in Gaza have said. 'We've made it clear at the highest levels, including heads of state and government, that Israel has legitimate security concerns, but it must also abide by international humanitarian law,' said Mr Skoog. Growing criticism This week, Germany, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest allies, sharply increased its criticism of the country. Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the scale of Israel's air strikes on Gaza, while Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the situation in the enclave as an 'unbearable'. Spain and Ireland continue to push for EU-wide recognition of a Palestinian state. France could also formally recognise Palestinian statehood, with President Emmanuel Macron considering the timing of such an announcement ahead of a June peace conference his country is to co-host with Saudi Arabia. France, along with Britain and Canada, this month warned Israel they could impose targeted sanctions if it continued to broaden its war on Gaza and expand settlements in the West Bank. But Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Thursday that 22 new settlements had been approved in the occupied region. 'We know that international pressure has prompted some gestures. For example, last weekend Israel opened limited channels for humanitarian supplies [into Gaza],' said Mr Skoog. 'However, these steps fall far short of what is needed and do not meet the standards of international humanitarian law, including those set by the UN.' Under international pressure, Israel ended an 11-week aid blockade on the enclave 10 days ago. Since then, it has permitted a limited flow of humanitarian supplies through two channels – the UN and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial US and Israeli-backed private organisation that is overhauling the aid distribution system in the embattled strip. The UN has lambasted the involvement of the foundation, warning that it undermines humanitarian principles. Middle East visit Mr Skoog's remarks came during a visit to the UAE, where he co-chaired the fourth high-level political dialogue between the EU and the Emirates alongside Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and the Foreign Minister's Envoy for the EU. The meeting addressed co-operation between the sides and discussed regional and international developments, including the Gaza war, the situations in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen, Red Sea security, the conflict in Sudan and the war in Ukraine, the UAE's Ministry for Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Syria's recovery EU countries on Wednesday passed legislation to lift all economic sanctions on Syria, except those based on security issues. The move is intended to enable the rapid reconstruction of the country after 14 years of civil war. Under the policy, the Syrian Central Bank and other financial institutions will regain access to European financial markets. 'We acted earlier than the US and many others because we believe the developments in Syria are highly significant and could open the door to a better future for the Syrian people,' said Mr Skoog. 'We recognised early on the need to engage with Syria's new leadership to press for our demands – inclusive governance, accountability, reforms, human rights, reconciliation and democratic processes. 'At the same time, we acknowledge their legitimate calls for economic breathing room. To advance our political objectives, we also had to create economic space. 'This doesn't mean that we now leave everything to go its own way. On the contrary, it gives us a platform for dialogue with the Syrian leadership, and a basis for holding them accountable.' He added that, while the EU believes Syria's new leaders are committed to reform, sanctions "can be reimposed – this is not a one-way street". Russia-Ukraine war On the war in Ukraine, the EU official said the US was 'now seeing what we have been seeing for a long time – that it's Russia that can end this war tomorrow, if it wants to". But to reach that point, "we need to maintain pressure on Russia", he added. US President Donald Trump has recently issued sharp criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning him that he is ' playing with fire '. The comments came after Mr Trump called the Russian leader ' absolutely crazy ' at the weekend following a major Russian air strike on Kyiv. Mr Trump also warned that Moscow could face new sanctions. Observers say that, while the US President has complained about continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and the killing of civilians, he has not yet imposed even modest penalties on Mr Putin. Moscow has, meanwhile, proposed a second round of peace talks in Istanbul next week. 'We're already moving ahead with the next sanctions package, and we're doing so because we see it's making an impact,' said Mr Skoog. 'Russia is being forced to pay an increasingly high price to keep its war machinery running. At the same time, we're supporting Ukraine so it can defend itself and enter any peace process from a position of strength.'
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Ukraine a ‘test of credibility' for US: France's Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Washington faces a "credibility test" over its response to Russia dragging its feet on a Ukraine ceasefire. Macron said during a visit to Singapore that European countries were ready to impose new sanctions against Moscow if it does not fall into line, but US President Donald Trump's administration needed to confirm it was ready to do the same.
NHK
6 hours ago
- Business
- NHK
Japan to partially lift sanctions on Syria
The Japanese government has decided to partially lift sanctions it had imposed on Syria. In Syria, an interim government is working to rebuild the country after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December last year. The authoritarian rule of the Assad family spanned more than half a century over two generations. The Japanese Cabinet agreed on the move at its meeting on Friday. Four banks will be removed from the list of targets whose assets are frozen. The Syrian interim government has repeatedly asked other countries to lift sanctions to help rebuild the war-torn nation. The European Union has already decided to ease its sanctions in stages. The US government under President Donald Trump has also announced sanctions relief. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters that the decision came after the government studied the matter comprehensively. He said it is based on the view that Japan should support positive efforts in Syria and help improve the lives of its people, who have been worn down by years of crisis, while remaining in step with the international community. He said Japan will continue coordinating with the Group of Seven countries and others in the international community to pursue effective measures for achieving peace and stability in Syria.
