1 week ago The EU was complicit in the war in Gaza. Trump's plan can't be an excuse to dodge responsibility now | Nathalie Tocci

Tiptoeing around Israel has cost Europe its credibility. It must exert meaningful pressure to ensure the horrors we have seen never happen againThe first phase of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza has drawn a collective sigh of relief from European leaders. After two years of slaughter, the ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the Israeli military’s partial withdrawal from Gaza and humanitarian access to the territory offer hope – and unfortunately, an excuse for Europe to continue doing nothing.When it comes to the war in Gaza, unlike Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European governments have shown their worst colours. They are divided, and their political splits have led to policy paralysis. But worse than sitting on the sidelines hand-wringing, European governments and EU institutions in Brussels can be accused of complicity in Israel’s war crimes. They have been unwilling to exert any pressure on the perpetrators, while continuing economic, political and...

Politics

1 week ago Mahmood hits back at European watchdog over trans and protest rights concerns

The Supreme Court ruled in April that the words ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.

Events

1 week ago Fact check: National debt, fake wifi charges and the cost of rebuilding Gaza

Round-up of fact checks from the last week compiled by Full Fact.

Economics

2 w. ago Gaza ceasefire live: Israel says body handed over by Hamas is not one of the hostages

Four bodies were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday to ease pressure on the fragile ceasefire, after the first four on Monday Israel reportedly pulls back from threat to slash humanitarian aid entering GazaThe Israeli military said on Wednesday that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas the previous day as part of the ceasefire deal is not that of one of the hostages who was held in Gaza. Four bodies were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday to ease pressure on the fragile ceasefire, after the first four on Monday – when the last 20 living hostages were released. The military said that “following the completion of examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages”.In the north of the territory, as Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza City, the Hamas government’s black-masked armed police resumed street patrols, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).Our message is clear: There will be no place for outlaws...

Events

2 w. ago Gaza ceasefire live: Israel says one of the bodies handed over by Hamas is not a hostage amid reports vital aid crossing to reopen

Israel previously said the flow of aid would be cut by half and Rafah crossing would not open as planned due to delay in returning bodies of hostagesIsrael limits aid into Gaza in dispute over hostages’ remainsThe Israeli military said on Wednesday that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas the previous day as part of the ceasefire deal is not that of one of the hostages who was held in Gaza. Four bodies were handed over by Hamas on Tuesday to ease pressure on the fragile ceasefire, after the first four on Monday – when the last 20 living hostages were released. The military said that “following the completion of examinations at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the fourth body handed over to Israel by Hamas does not match any of the hostages”.In the north of the territory, as Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza City, the Hamas government’s black-masked armed police resumed street patrols, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).Our message is clear: There will be no place for ...

Events

2 w. ago Families of deceased hostages accuse Israeli government of 'betrayal' as only four bodies are returned from Gaza

The whereabouts of 24 dead Israeli hostages remains unknown to their families, leaving them in anguish

Events

2 w. ago All living Israeli hostages freed and hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners released as Trump leads Egypt summit – live

US president in Egypt alongside world leaders after Israeli families welcome hostages home and Palestinian detainees are freedHamas releases 20 remaining living Israeli hostagesJoy and sorrow as Palestinian prisoners and detainees returnDonald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Israeli hostages released: all living captives freed as Trump receives standing ovation at Knesset – latest updates

Donald Trump to speak to Israeli parliament as released hostages are seen in first imagesFull report: Hamas releases Israeli hostages after more than 780 days in GazaExplainer: As Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt, who is going – and who isn’t?Donald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Voters' voices are being shut out of British politics. Your Party has a radical plan to change that | Jeremy Corbyn

At our conference in November we will use a jury service-type model to allow members to discuss and decide policy, strategy and even the name of our partyAt Labour’s latest conference, one thing stood out: the party no longer believes in democracy. Members and trade union affiliates voted to back, first the findings of a UN commission of inquiry that Israel is committing genocide, and second that the government must do all it can to prevent it.It is now two weeks since this motion was passed, but still the Labour government refuses to recognise the genocide in Gaza and allows the supply of weapons to Israel.Jeremy Corbyn is the MP for Islington North and co-leader of Your Party. He was leader of the Labour party from 2015 to 2020 Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Israeli hostage release: remaining living hostages reportedly freed – latest updates

Donald Trump arrives in Israel as released captives are seen in first imagesFull report: Hamas releases first seven of 20 Israeli hostages after more than 780 days in GazaWho are the 20 hostages believed alive and expected to be freed from Gaza?Explainer: As Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt, who is going – and who isn’t?Donald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Israeli hostage release: Netanyahu welcomes Trump with second group of hostages expected to be released shortly – live updates

Israeli PM greets US president at Ben Gurion airport as Red Cross travels to collect second group of living captivesFull report: Hamas releases first seven of 20 Israeli hostages after more than 780 days in GazaWho are the 20 hostages believed alive and expected to be freed from Gaza?Explainer: As Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt, who is going – and who isn’t?Donald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago MPs highlight plight of Gaza students unable to come to UK with children

Politicians write to ministers about Palestinians who cannot take up scholarships because they are barred from bringing familiesA cross-party group of more than 100 MPs has written to the government, highlighting the plight of Palestinian students unable to take up scholarships at UK universities because they have been barred from bringing their children.The British government has now evacuated from Gaza almost 60 scholars with fully funded university places and more are expected soon, but others have been forced to abandon their plans in order to remain with their families. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Israeli hostage release: Israeli military receives first seven hostages released by Hamas – live updates

IDF says it now has the first of those released under Trump’s deal, with the US president due to arrive in Israel shortlyFull report: Hamas releases first seven of 20 Israeli hostages after more than 780 days in GazaWho are the 20 hostages believed alive and expected to be freed from Gaza?Explainer: As Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt, who is going – and who isn’t?Donald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Israeli hostage release: IDF says Red Cross on way to pick up first Gaza hostages

Donald Trump is due to arrive in Israel shortly after the expected release of 20 living Israeli hostages at 8am local timeFull report: Israel expects all 20 living hostages to be freed from Gaza on Monday morningExplainer: As Donald Trump heads to Gaza ‘peace summit’ in Egypt, who is going – and who isn’t?Who are the 20 hostages believed alive and expected to be freed from Gaza?Donald Trump has questioned whether former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve on a new “board of peace” that is intended to oversee the governance of Gaza.The US president’s comments come amid ongoing criticisms of Blair for his role in the Iraq war that began in 2003. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Israel rejects Phillipson’s claim UK played ‘key role’ securing Gaza ceasefire

Benjamin Netanyahu’s deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel said she would ‘have to contradict’ the assertion.

Politics

2 w. ago Israel confirms when hostages will be freed by Hamas and reveals details of handover with ‘no sick displays’

ISRAEL has said all the hostages will be released early Monday by Hamas as part of Donald Trump's peace deal in Gaza. Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed that the country is ready to receive the hostages "any minute". In a media briefing today, she said all 20 living hostages will be "released together at...

Politics

2 w. ago Ceasefire live: aid trucks enter Gaza as Hamas confirms it will begin releasing Israeli hostages on Monday morning

Israel’s military says it has completed first phase of withdrawal, ahead of Monday peace summit in EgyptA Hamas source close to the Palestinian militant group’s negotiating committee has told AFP that it will not participate in postwar Gaza governance.“For Hamas, the governance of the Gaza Strip is a closed issue. Hamas will not participate at all in the transitional phase, which means it has relinquished control of the Strip, but it remains a fundamental part of the Palestinian fabric,” the source told AFP.Israel’s great challenge after the phase of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza, directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism to be established under the leadership and supervision of the United States. This is the primary significance of implementing the agreed-upon principle of demilitarizing Gaza and neutralizing Hamas of its weapons. I have instructed the IDF to prepare for carrying out the mission. Continue r...

Events

2 w. ago British taxpayers could face a multimillion pound bill if Tony Blair is appointed head of interim Gaza government

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that plans for elite team of British bodyguards and special forces to protect Tony Blair have already been drawn up at the Ministry of Defence.

Economics

2 w. ago Phillipson tells universities to take firm action to protect Jewish students

Some 600 training sessions will be offered to university staff over the coming weeks to help ‘identify harassment and hate’, the Government says.

Politics

3 w. ago Gaza ceasefire plan live: Israel’s government approves deal for hostages’ release as US troops to ‘oversee’ truce

Ceasefire supposed to begin immediately after early Friday’s cabinet approval under deal, says Israeli officialIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after a government meeting to approve the US-brokered deal to release all hostages and implement a ceasefire in Gaza.The Times of Israel reports that Gaza’s civil defence service has issued a warning to Palestinians not to approach the areas where the Israeli forces are present, particularly towards the border, until the IDF has officially announced their withdrawal and officials confirm this. Continue reading...

Politics