‘Israel is a creature of US foreign policy,’ Irish MP says
Irish Member of Parliament Richard Boyd Barrett says the US is “very committed” to defending the Israeli government and showed this on Thursday when it used its veto to block Palestine from becoming a full UN member.
“The United States has been key to providing Israelis with the means and the impunity to continue its crimes in Gaza over the last six months but also for many decades, so I don’t think anybody could be surprised, and in many ways, Israel is a creature of US foreign policy,” Barrett told Al Jazeera.
He added that European countries were currently discussing recognising the state of Palestine due to the growing awareness of the treatment of Palestinians during the war.
“But we do not want it to be a substitute for the sanctions that need to be imposed on Israel. And I fear sometimes there’s a tendency, my own government, other governments in Europe, to give symbolic support for Palestine but not follow it up with what’s really necessary,” he added.
Stop fighting the symptoms, it's clear what the root cause is
Shipping industry urges UN to protect vessels
Merchant ships and seafarers are increasingly in peril at sea as attacks escalate in the Middle East and the United Nations must do more to protect supply chains, the industry said.
In a letter sent on Thursday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the world’s leading shipping industry associations said Iran’s seizure on April 13 of the MSC Aries container ship 50 nautical miles (93km) off the United Arab Emirates coast “once again highlighted the intolerable situation where shipping has become a target”.
“Innocent seafarers have been killed, seafarers are being held hostage,” the letter said.
“The world would be outraged if four airliners were seized and held hostage with innocent souls onboard. Regrettably, there does not seem to be the same response or concern [for ships and their crew members].”
UN officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters news agency request for comment.
Anyone remember the sea corridor? Some do
Gaza Freedom Flotilla participants prepare to embark
“Hundreds” of people have arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, to join a Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which aims to deliver “over 5,000 tons of humanitarian aid” to the besieged enclave. “The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stands here to remind the world that with all the escalation between Israel and Iran, the killing is occurring in Gaza,” the coalition said in a statement.
“While those two countries go back and forth, we cannot let Israel distract the world from what is causing far more death, disease, and destruction: Israel’s policies of starving and continued bombardment of unarmed Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children.”
In the next three days, those joining the flotilla will undergo “non-violence” training and learn strategies to protect themselves in the event of an attack. The cargo ship, which will be accompanied by two passenger ships, is expected to depart next week.
A ship from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition anchors at Tuzla seaport in Istanbul, Turkey
Brave initiative and 5,000 tons is quite a bit. Gaza needs it, but will it get there.
