13 February 2024, The Guardian, by Peter Beaumont: The UK has imposed sanctions against four Israeli nationals, saying they were “extremist settlers” who had violently attacked Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The measures impose strict financial and travel restrictions on the four individuals, who Britain said were involved in “egregious abuses of human rights”.
Read MoreForeign secretaries and diplomats try to persuade Netanyahu to call off Rafah offensive
13 February 2024, The Guardian: Israel is facing growing international pressure over its intention to launch an all-out military assault on the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, in the wake of a ferocious hostage rescue operation that killed dozens of Palestinians.
Read MoreRarely if ever has Australia or the US said no to Israel. Now is the time
13 February 2024, The Guardian, by Peter George: If foreign policy is predicated on self-interest, then now’s the time for Australian political parties to set aside petty political point scoring and revert to a more mature approach to international affairs that we haven’t witnessed in 40 years or more.
Read MoreBritain says it could recognise Palestinian state before any Israel peace deal
2 February 2024, The Age, by Fay Abuelgasim: Riyak, Lebanon: Britain’s top diplomat said his country could officially recognise a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in Gaza without waiting for the outcome of what could be yearslong talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution.
Read MoreCorbyn shows trial for what it is
12 January 2024, The Australian: It speaks volumes about the “genocide” charges brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice that South Africa has named the notoriously dotty far-left former leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, as joining its delegation to the Hague.
Read MoreAs Biden warns of wider conflict, Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ plays with fire
12 January 2024, The Age, by Roger Shanahan: There are growing fears that the war in Gaza is, to borrow US President Joe Biden’s term, metastasising into a regional conflict. In the past 10 days, a senior leader of Hamas and a senior leader of Hezbollah have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli airstrikes, while a US airstrike killed a senior commander of the Shi’a Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq. And a letter signed by a dozen nations, including Australia and New Zealand, warned the Yemeni Houthi movement to end their attacks on shipping and to release detained vessels or face the consequences.
Read MoreUK prepares to take action against Houthis after Red Sea attacks: report
12 January 2024, The Age, by Sachin Ravikumar: London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will hold a call with his cabinet about a possible response to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants on Red Sea shipping, British media reported on Thursday, London time.
Read MoreAnthony Albanese lashes Iran for ‘meddling’ in Israel-Hamas conflict
11 January 2024, Herald Sun, by Courtney Gould: Anthony Albanese has blasted Iran for its “destructive” role in the Middle East, accusing the nation of medding” in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Read MoreIsrael’s ‘killing rage’ will fuel conflict for 50 years, warns ex-UK defence secretary
18 December 2023, The Guardian, by Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor: The Israeli government’s “killing rage” in Gaza poses a threat to the country’s moral and legal authority and will fuel conflict for another 50 years, the former UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has warned.
Read MoreUS vetoes UN resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire
10 December 2023, The Age, by Edith M. Lederer: The vote in the 15-member council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
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