UK and US split over Israel after British government suspends some arms sales

Published

2 months ago

September 4, 2024

admin

The UK and US have split over their policies in regard to Israel and its war with Hamas, after the government suspended some arms sales to the country.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that 30 of 350 arms export licences to Israel would be suspended.

The move marked the UK’s first wholesale divergence with the US since the 7 October attacks and came as US officials were reaffirming their support for Israel.

Analysis: Netanyahu’s crisis is worsening and Israel may never forgive him

Last week, Kamala Harris told CNN she wouldn’t waver in her backing of Israel.

“Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defence and its ability to defend itself,” she said.

Then, on Tuesday, Matt Miller, a spokesman for the US Department of State said the UK’s decision had no bearing on the US and they wouldn’t be stopping arms sales.

He said: “They came to this conclusion. We have reviews that are ongoing.”

Mr Miller did say that the two countries had spoken before the announcement, but that the US position remained unchanged.

Deflecting from a question over how the US felt about the UK’s decision, Mr Miller instead said: “The UK is a sovereign country, it’s a decision for them to make ultimately.”

US announces charges against Hamas leaders

The difference in policy comes as the US announced criminal charges against senior Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar, in connection with the 7 October attacks.

The impact of the case is mostly symbolic as Hamas’ newly elected leader Sinwar is believed to be deep in hiding within Gaza and three of the six defendants are thought to be dead.

The charges were initially filed in February under seal but given the death of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in July, and other developments, there was less need for secrecy.

“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. “These actions will not be our last.”

Protests for third consecutive night

Meanwhile large protests have continued for the third consecutive night in Tel Aviv, as many Israelis demand their government reach a deal to bring the hostages home.

In the 7 October attack around 1,200 people were killed by Hamas and over 200 people taken hostage – triggering an invasion that has claimed over 40,000 Palestinian lives.

One of Israel’s stated key aims of this war has been to get the hostages home safe, but Mr Netanyahu has come under increasing criticism for his prolonged failure to do so – with many Israelis now holding him responsible for the hostage deaths.

Philadelphi corridor is sticking point

Hundreds took to the streets on Tuesday night following threats of a general strike earlier this week.

One key sticking point in ceasefire talks is Mr Netanyahu’s insistence on Israeli control over the Gaza-Egypt border – in the form of the Philadelphi corridor.

Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, said Israel’s focus should be on bringing the hostages home instead.

He said Israel could return to the Philadelphi corridor if needed, describing it as an “operational challenge, not an existential threat”.

He was joined in his criticism by another former military chief Gabi Eisenkot.

They resigned from Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet in June, accusing him of putting his own political survival ahead of the country’s interests.

World

Elon Musk hints 80-hour-a-week DOGE job for ‘high-IQ revolutionaries’ will be unpaid

Published

54 mins ago

November 15, 2024

admin

Elon Musk hints 80-hour-a-week DOGE job for 'high-IQ revolutionaries' will be unpaid

“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.

The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.

The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.

“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.

“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.

“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”

In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.

“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.

“What a great deal!”

When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.

Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”

World

At least 10 dead after fire rips through retirement home in Spain

Published

54 mins ago

November 15, 2024

admin

At least 10 dead after fire rips through retirement home in Spain

At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.

A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.

They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.

Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.

The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.

The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.

All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.

Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.

It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.

The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.

World

At least 10 dead after fire rips through retirement home in Spain

Published

7 hours ago

November 15, 2024

admin

At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.

A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.

They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.

Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.

The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.