UK Parliamentarians across all parties give highly critical speeches against Israel during question session at House of Commons
Mehmet Solmaz |19.07.2023
BIRMINGHAM, England
Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause “unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and call into question Israel's commitment to a viable two-state solution,” British Minister David Rutley said in response to a parliamentary question on Tuesday.
Rutley, who was appointed as a parliamentary undersecretary of the UK’s Foreign Office last October, said demolitions “by an occupying power” are also against international humanitarian law and urged Israel to reconsider forthcoming evictions.
“The UK’s position on settlements is clear: Settlements are illegal under international law,” he said.
In his question to Rutley, Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Bristow asked: “In 2023, dozens of Palestinian children have been killed in Israeli military operations. Will the minister agree with me that we should never become immune to those deaths?”
Rutley accepted that Bristow had made an “important point” and added that “every one of those deaths is tragic,” noting that the Foreign Office had published a report which said that the occupied Palestinian territories were a “human rights priority” and the UK “will continue to oppose violations and abuse of international human rights or international humanitarian law by the government of Israel or the Palestinian Authority.”
Seven of the 14 listed questions were related to Israel, prompting the minister to attempt to answer many together during the discussion.
Rutley said the “accelerating cycle of violence” in the occupied West Bank is a cause of enormous concern, and the government is intensely focused on the situation.
Labour MP Imran Hussain recalled a speech he made in parliament seven years ago, in which he spoke about a 68-year-old woman being targeted by Israeli settlers.
“Yet despite international opposition, last week she was tragically dragged from her home of over seven decades. So can I ask the minister: if this case isn’t it, what is the government's red line? How many more Palestinian grandmothers must be forcibly evicted?” he said.
Rutley responded by saying that such actions contradict Israeli claims of wanting a solution to the problem.
Flick Drummond, a Conservative MP, said that over 12,000 new housing units and 10 new outposts have been built by Israel in the first half of 2023.
“The total number of settlers in the West Bank is now 750,000. This is contrary to international law and further displaces many Palestinian families as their houses and land are taken away. How will this help the peace process and what's the government doing to uphold international law?” Drummond said.
Rutley said the issue was laid out in the foreign secretary's trilateral statement with the foreign ministers of Australia and Canada on June 30.
“The continued expansion of settlements is an obstacle to peace and negatively impacts efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution,” he said.
Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.
Nearly 195 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of this year, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. At least 27 Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.
Palestine: Continued attacks on journalists covering Israeli military operations in West Bank
International Press Institute (IPI)
18 July 2023
Journalists rush for cover at a hospital in Jenin, in the West Bank, on 19 June 2023, amid an Israeli army raid.
International Press Institute (IPI)
18 July 2023
Journalists rush for cover at a hospital in Jenin, in the West Bank, on 19 June 2023, amid an Israeli army raid.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Israel must respect and protect journalist safety and hold those responsible for attacks on journalists to account.
This statement was originally published on ipi.media on 17 July 2023.
The International Press Institute (IPI) is alarmed by a recent series of attacks by Israeli military forces on journalists covering military operations in the West Bank. IPI calls on the Israeli authorities to respect and protect journalists’ safety and to hold those responsible for attacks on journalists to account.
The past several weeks have seen a series of incidents in which journalists – mainly Palestinian journalists – have been attacked, detained, or targeted with gunfire while covering Israeli operations in the West Bank.
The majority of the attacks documented by IPI have taken place in or near Jenin, where Al Jazeera journalist and IPI World Press Freedom Hero Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces in May 2022. On July 3 and 4, the occupied West Bank city was the site of an Israeli raid that international media have called “Israel’s largest such operation in the West Bank since the end of the second Palestinian uprising in 2005”.
Most recently, on July 12, Israeli military forces stormed the West Bank city of Nablus injuring ten Palestinians, including two journalists, Nasser Shtayyeh and Hassan Qamhieh, who were wounded by live bullets from an Israeli sniper. On the same day in Hebron, a southern West Bank city, Israeli forces raided the home of WAFA News Agency journalist Joueid al-Tamimi, as well as the homes of his relatives. According to al-Tamimi, “the soldiers fired toxic gas grenades in the houses, inspected vehicles and personal mobiles and conducted a local investigation about his family”.
Those incidents add to further cases compiled by IPI based on local news reports over the past several weeks:
• On July 10, Palestinian journalists Mohammad Turkman and Karim Khamyseh were detained at a military checkpoint near the city of Nablus for several hours on their way back from covering the events in Jenin. Israeli soldiers also allegedly assaulted them and sabotaged the wheels of their car, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The Quds News Network posted a video of the alleged slashed tires online.
• On July 5, an unnamed French journalist was arrested and detained while traveling from Jenin to Israel. Israeli authorities claimed he had three grenades in his car, including one tear gas grenade. The journalist was released without charges shortly after questioning.
• On July 4, the Israel Defence Forces fired tear gas on the entrance of Jenin Governmental Hospital, where journalists as well as medics and families were gathered.
• On July 3, while covering the Jenin raid, al-Arabi TV reporter Amid Shehadeh and cameraman Rabi Munir were reportedly directly targeted by Israeli gunfire, which damaged their camera and transmitter.
• On June 27, journalist Mohammad Muna was reportedly detained in the West Bank city of Nablus after Israeli forces raided his home.
• On June 24, Palestine TV cameraman Mohammad Radi and his colleague Falantina Abu Hamed, were reportedly fired at by the Israeli settlers damaging their camera.
• On June 19, as IPI previously reported, Palestinian journalist Hazem Nasser was hospitalized after being hit by sniper fire during an Israeli raid on Jenin.On June 19, as IPI previously reported, Palestinian journalist Hazem Nasser was hospitalized after being hit by sniper fire during an Israeli raid on Jenin.
The incidents reflect a wider pattern of Israeli aggression against journalists working in the West Bank. The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has documented 200 media freedom violations committed by Israeli forces and authorities in the first half of 2023 alone.
Over the past two decades, at least 20 journalists in Palestine have been killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), according to the Committee to Protect Journalists – with no accountability for these crimes. This includes the killing of Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces while reporting from the West Bank in Jenin. Israel initially denied responsibility, despite the publication of several independent reports indicating that Abu Akleh had been targeted by Israeli fire. Israeli authorities later admitted that there was a “high possibility” that Abu Akleh had been “accidentally” hit by its forces, but refused to pursue a further investigation or any charges against soldiers involved.
“IPI is alarmed by a pattern of attacks against journalists working in the West Bank by Israeli military forces. Israel must cease any targeted efforts to prevent journalists from covering events in the West Bank, and must respect and protect journalist safety,” IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said.
She added: “The continued impunity for the killing of IPI World Press Freedom Hero Shireen Abu Akleh is the most prominent example of a disturbing culture of unaccountability for attacks on journalists within the Israeli military. Israel must fulfil its obligation to ensure that any attacks on journalists and media freedom are investigated and result in consequences for those responsible.”
Israel must respect and protect journalist safety and hold those responsible for attacks on journalists to account.
This statement was originally published on ipi.media on 17 July 2023.
The International Press Institute (IPI) is alarmed by a recent series of attacks by Israeli military forces on journalists covering military operations in the West Bank. IPI calls on the Israeli authorities to respect and protect journalists’ safety and to hold those responsible for attacks on journalists to account.
The past several weeks have seen a series of incidents in which journalists – mainly Palestinian journalists – have been attacked, detained, or targeted with gunfire while covering Israeli operations in the West Bank.
The majority of the attacks documented by IPI have taken place in or near Jenin, where Al Jazeera journalist and IPI World Press Freedom Hero Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces in May 2022. On July 3 and 4, the occupied West Bank city was the site of an Israeli raid that international media have called “Israel’s largest such operation in the West Bank since the end of the second Palestinian uprising in 2005”.
Most recently, on July 12, Israeli military forces stormed the West Bank city of Nablus injuring ten Palestinians, including two journalists, Nasser Shtayyeh and Hassan Qamhieh, who were wounded by live bullets from an Israeli sniper. On the same day in Hebron, a southern West Bank city, Israeli forces raided the home of WAFA News Agency journalist Joueid al-Tamimi, as well as the homes of his relatives. According to al-Tamimi, “the soldiers fired toxic gas grenades in the houses, inspected vehicles and personal mobiles and conducted a local investigation about his family”.
Those incidents add to further cases compiled by IPI based on local news reports over the past several weeks:
• On July 10, Palestinian journalists Mohammad Turkman and Karim Khamyseh were detained at a military checkpoint near the city of Nablus for several hours on their way back from covering the events in Jenin. Israeli soldiers also allegedly assaulted them and sabotaged the wheels of their car, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The Quds News Network posted a video of the alleged slashed tires online.
• On July 5, an unnamed French journalist was arrested and detained while traveling from Jenin to Israel. Israeli authorities claimed he had three grenades in his car, including one tear gas grenade. The journalist was released without charges shortly after questioning.
• On July 4, the Israel Defence Forces fired tear gas on the entrance of Jenin Governmental Hospital, where journalists as well as medics and families were gathered.
• On July 3, while covering the Jenin raid, al-Arabi TV reporter Amid Shehadeh and cameraman Rabi Munir were reportedly directly targeted by Israeli gunfire, which damaged their camera and transmitter.
• On June 27, journalist Mohammad Muna was reportedly detained in the West Bank city of Nablus after Israeli forces raided his home.
• On June 24, Palestine TV cameraman Mohammad Radi and his colleague Falantina Abu Hamed, were reportedly fired at by the Israeli settlers damaging their camera.
• On June 19, as IPI previously reported, Palestinian journalist Hazem Nasser was hospitalized after being hit by sniper fire during an Israeli raid on Jenin.On June 19, as IPI previously reported, Palestinian journalist Hazem Nasser was hospitalized after being hit by sniper fire during an Israeli raid on Jenin.
The incidents reflect a wider pattern of Israeli aggression against journalists working in the West Bank. The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) has documented 200 media freedom violations committed by Israeli forces and authorities in the first half of 2023 alone.
Over the past two decades, at least 20 journalists in Palestine have been killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), according to the Committee to Protect Journalists – with no accountability for these crimes. This includes the killing of Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces while reporting from the West Bank in Jenin. Israel initially denied responsibility, despite the publication of several independent reports indicating that Abu Akleh had been targeted by Israeli fire. Israeli authorities later admitted that there was a “high possibility” that Abu Akleh had been “accidentally” hit by its forces, but refused to pursue a further investigation or any charges against soldiers involved.
“IPI is alarmed by a pattern of attacks against journalists working in the West Bank by Israeli military forces. Israel must cease any targeted efforts to prevent journalists from covering events in the West Bank, and must respect and protect journalist safety,” IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said.
She added: “The continued impunity for the killing of IPI World Press Freedom Hero Shireen Abu Akleh is the most prominent example of a disturbing culture of unaccountability for attacks on journalists within the Israeli military. Israel must fulfil its obligation to ensure that any attacks on journalists and media freedom are investigated and result in consequences for those responsible.”
These 9 House Democrats voted against a resolution declaring Israel is 'not a racist or apartheid state'
Bryan Metzger
Tue, July 18, 2023
Rep. Ilhan Omar said the purpose of the resolution was to "target and shame" Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Bryan Metzger
Tue, July 18, 2023
Rep. Ilhan Omar said the purpose of the resolution was to "target and shame" Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
House Republicans teed up a vote on a resolution saying Israel is "not a racist or apartheid state."
It came days after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a top progressive, said Israel is a "racist state."
Nine progressive House Democrats voted against the resolution.
Nine progressive House Democrats on Tuesday voted against a resolution declaring that Israel is neither a racist nor an apartheid state.
The resolution, which passed by an overwhelming 412-9-1 margin, was hastily put on the floor by House Republicans after Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a "racist state" at an event in Chicago over the weekend.
Jayapal has since walked back the remarks, saying that the "idea of Israel as a nation" is not racist while emphasizing that Israel's government has "engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies."
House Democratic leadership issued a statement on Sunday declaring that Israel is "not a racist state," while a group of 43 House Democrats released a statement on Tuesday saying they were "deeply concerned" about Jayapal's "unacceptable comments."
The congresswoman has since argued to the New York Times that strong supporters of Israel in Congress "want to silence any discussion of any criticism" of the country because they're "feeling that they've lost credibility" in the face of policies pursued by Israeli hard-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The one-page resolution, sponsored by Republican Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, states that Israel is "not a racist or apartheid state," that Congress "rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia," and that the US will "always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."
In recent years, a growing crop of progressive Democrats — including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first two Muslim women elected to Congress — have spoken out against the Israeli government's policies, particularly its treatment of Palestinians and a series of Israeli government policies that have made the prospect of a two-state solution increasingly untenable.
In a floor speech earlier on Tuesday, Tlaib made clear she would vote against the resolution, stating that Congress was "re-affirming support for apartheid."
Omar said in a statement ahead of the vote that the purpose of the resolution was to "target and shame" Jayapal. She added that while she rejects xenophobia and anti-Semitism, she said "conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of the Israeli government is wrong."
Several human rights groups, both internationally and within Israel, have used the "apartheid" label to describe a system of government in Israel and the Palestinian Territories that they say increasingly resembles that of pre-1990s South Africa.
"While the term may be discomforting, I don't believe it is appropriate for Congress to be explicitly targeting the legal findings of human rights groups in this way," said Omar. "We shouldn't allow for the silencing of voices supporting Palestinian human rights."
Altogether, these 9 House Democrats voted against the resolution:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana
Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri
Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania
Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota voted "present."
The vote came just one day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog was scheduled to speak to Congress in a joint session. Several House progressives have said they plan to skip the speech in protest of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, House Republicans have stood firmly by their plans to invite Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr to testify before a House subcommittee on the issue of censorship, despite his recent speculation that COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.
House Republicans teed up a vote on a resolution saying Israel is "not a racist or apartheid state."
It came days after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a top progressive, said Israel is a "racist state."
Nine progressive House Democrats voted against the resolution.
Nine progressive House Democrats on Tuesday voted against a resolution declaring that Israel is neither a racist nor an apartheid state.
The resolution, which passed by an overwhelming 412-9-1 margin, was hastily put on the floor by House Republicans after Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a "racist state" at an event in Chicago over the weekend.
Jayapal has since walked back the remarks, saying that the "idea of Israel as a nation" is not racist while emphasizing that Israel's government has "engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies."
House Democratic leadership issued a statement on Sunday declaring that Israel is "not a racist state," while a group of 43 House Democrats released a statement on Tuesday saying they were "deeply concerned" about Jayapal's "unacceptable comments."
The congresswoman has since argued to the New York Times that strong supporters of Israel in Congress "want to silence any discussion of any criticism" of the country because they're "feeling that they've lost credibility" in the face of policies pursued by Israeli hard-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The one-page resolution, sponsored by Republican Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, states that Israel is "not a racist or apartheid state," that Congress "rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia," and that the US will "always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."
In recent years, a growing crop of progressive Democrats — including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first two Muslim women elected to Congress — have spoken out against the Israeli government's policies, particularly its treatment of Palestinians and a series of Israeli government policies that have made the prospect of a two-state solution increasingly untenable.
In a floor speech earlier on Tuesday, Tlaib made clear she would vote against the resolution, stating that Congress was "re-affirming support for apartheid."
Omar said in a statement ahead of the vote that the purpose of the resolution was to "target and shame" Jayapal. She added that while she rejects xenophobia and anti-Semitism, she said "conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of the Israeli government is wrong."
Several human rights groups, both internationally and within Israel, have used the "apartheid" label to describe a system of government in Israel and the Palestinian Territories that they say increasingly resembles that of pre-1990s South Africa.
"While the term may be discomforting, I don't believe it is appropriate for Congress to be explicitly targeting the legal findings of human rights groups in this way," said Omar. "We shouldn't allow for the silencing of voices supporting Palestinian human rights."
Altogether, these 9 House Democrats voted against the resolution:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana
Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts
Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri
Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York
Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania
Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota voted "present."
The vote came just one day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog was scheduled to speak to Congress in a joint session. Several House progressives have said they plan to skip the speech in protest of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, House Republicans have stood firmly by their plans to invite Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr to testify before a House subcommittee on the issue of censorship, despite his recent speculation that COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.
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