Belgium’s deputy PM calls for tougher stance on Israel or risks major government crisis
Belgium’s foreign minister said he does not rule out blocking the government’s major decisions if political parties continue to prevent him from taking a tougher stance on Israel.
“If the government does not take a tougher stance on human rights violations by the Israeli government or recognise Palestine, there is a risk of a major crisis,” Maxime Prevot, who is also the deputy PM, was quoted as saying by De Standaard on Monday.
“For me and my party, Gaza is indeed a crucial issue. We absolutely must find a solution within the government.”
Foreign Press Association expresses outrage after hospital attack
The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media working in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, says it is “outraged and in shock” after an Israeli army attack killed five journalists and at least 15 others at Nasser Medical Complex.
In a statement, the group demanded “an immediate explanation” from the Israeli army and the Israeli PM’s office. “We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists,” it added.
“This must be a watershed moment. We appeal to international leaders: Do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves.”
People and rescuers work to recover the body of Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who worked for Reuters, after he was killed along with other journalists and people in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, August 25
Spain condemns Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital
Spain condemned Israel’s attack on Nasser Hospital, calling it a “flagrant” and “unacceptable” violation of humanitarian law.
“The Spanish government condemns the Israeli attack on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of four journalists and innocent civilians,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“We reiterate that specially protected sites cannot be targeted. This is a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international humanitarian law, which must be investigated.”
US ‘unwilling’ to condemn Israel
There’s been nothing at all from Washington, and that has certainly been the pattern over the last several days.
We know that there was a contractor who worked for the US State Department who wanted the department to put out a statement condemning the murder of an Al Jazeera journalist last week. He has now been dismissed from the State Department, saying that they don’t discuss personal issues.
As for President Donald Trump, of course, there has been no comment about the IPC report of a famine in Gaza. He is reportedly upset by the pictures of starving children, but he hasn’t said anything publicly.
What is clear is that the United States is unwilling to condemn Israel in any public forum.
We have reached out to several government departments and to the White House to see if they have any comment on the famine or the death of journalists, and there has been nothing that has come back from any of them.
Committee to Protect Journalists says murder of reporters must end now
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the Israeli attack that killed five journalists at Nasser Hospital, calling for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its “continued unlawful attacks on the press”.
CPJ’s Regional Director Sara Qudah said Israel’s killing of journalists in the enclave continues while “the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history.
“These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity,” Qudah said.
