Netanyahu hits out at ‘misguided’ British prime minister
The Israeli prime minister accused his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, of “sending a horrible message” to Hamas with his Labour government’s recent decision to suspend dozens of arm export licences to Israel.
“After the October 7 Hamas massacre, the previous British government was clear in its support,” Netanyahu told the Daily Mail newspaper, referring to Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.
But Netanyahu accused Starmer’s government of “sending mixed messages” on its support for Israel.
“They say that Israel has the right to defend itself, but they undermine our ability to exercise that right both by reversing Britain’s position on the absurd allegations made by the [International Criminal Court] prosecutor against Israel and by blocking weapons sales to Israel,” he said.
I agree its time to stop with the mixed messaging, full sanctions and weapons embargo are in order.
Israel’s top court declines to shut down Sde Teiman
Israel’s Supreme Court has refused to order the closure of the military-run detention camp for Palestinians, where rights groups say detainees were subjected to severe torture, including beatings and gang rape.
The court, however, ordered Israeli authorities to comply with laws on detaining enemy combatants during wartime.
“Protecting the rule of law, even during a difficult war, is the clear expression of the difference between a democratic state, which is fighting for its life, and a terrorist organization, which wants to destroy it,” Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman wrote in Wednesday’s ruling.
Vogelman added that allegations of criminal conduct at Sde Teiman must be investigated.
According to The Times of Israel, one Israeli soldier has been charged over the gang-rape of a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman, while five others are under investigation over the case.
Some 4,000 Palestinians had been held at the facility in the Negev desert, but Israeli authorities say most have now been transferred out.
UN human rights experts have meanwhile criticised Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees, saying in August that they have “received substantiated reports of widespread abuse, torture, sexual assault and rape, amid atrocious inhumane conditions”.
The reports indicate at least 53 Palestinians may have died from mistreatment in 10 months, they said.
