newsinsightplus.com 20184Ive7th February 2, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWestern officials in protest over Israel Gaza policyPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, Getty ImagesBy Tom BatemanBBC State Department correspondentMore than 800 serving officials in the US and Europe have signed a statement warning that their own governments’ policies on the Israel-Gaza war could amount to “grave violations of international law”.The “transatlantic statement”, a copy of which was passed to the BBC, says their administrations risk being complicit in “one of the worst human catastrophes of this century” but that their expert advice has been sidelined. It is the latest sign of significant levels of dissent within the governments of some of Israel’s key Western allies.One signatory to the statement, a US government official with more than 25 years’ national security experience, told the BBC of the “continued dismissal” of their concerns.”The voices of those who understand the region and the dynamics were not listened to,” said the official.”What’s really different here is we’re not failing to prevent something, we’re actively complicit. That is fundamentally different from any other situation I can recall,” added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The statement is signed by civil servants from the US, the EU and 11 European countries including the UK, France and Germany. It says Israel has shown “no boundaries” in its military operations in Gaza, “which has resulted in tens of thousands of preventable civilian deaths; and… the deliberate blocking of aid… putting thousands of civilians at risk of starvation and slow death.””There is a plausible risk that our governments’ policies are contributing to grave violations of international law, war crimes and even ethnic cleansing or genocide,” it said.Israelis tell MPs of Hamas sexual violence evidenceInjured, hungry and alone – the Gazan children orphaned by warThe identities of those who signed or endorsed the statement have not been made public and the BBC has not seen a list of names, but understands that nearly half are officials who each have at least a decade of experience in government. One retired US ambassador told the BBC that the coordination by dissenting civil servants in multiple governments was unprecedented.”It’s unique in my experience watching foreign policy in the last 40 years,” said Robert Ford, a former American ambassador to Algeria and Syria. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Biden’s support for Israel has lost him votes among Arab AmericansHe likened it to concerns within the US administration in 2003 over faulty intelligence leading up to the invasion of Iraq, but said this time many officials with reservations did not want to remain silent. “[Then there were] people who knew better, who knew that intelligence was being cherry-picked, who knew that there wasn’t a plan for the day after, but nobody said anything publicly. And that turned out to be a serious problem,” he said. “The problems with the Gaza war are so serious and the implications are so serious that they feel compelled to go public,” he said. The officials argue the current nature of their governments’ military, political or diplomatic support for Israel “without real conditions or accountability” not only risks further Palestinian deaths, but also endangers the lives of hostages held by Hamas, as well as Israel’s own security and regional stability. “Israel’s military operations have disregarded all important counterterrorism expertise gained since 9/11… the [military] operation has not contributed to Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas and has instead strengthened the appeal of Hamas, Hezbollah and other negative actors”. Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?The officials say they have expressed their professional concerns internally but have been “overruled by political and ideological considerations”. The US State Department, the European Union Commission and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been approached for comment.The statement suggests that while Israel’s military operation has caused unprecedented destruction of lives and property in Gaza, there appears to be no workable strategy to effectively remove Hamas as a threat, nor for a political solution to ensure Israel’s security in the longer term. It calls for the US and European governments to “stop asserting to the public that there is a strategic and defensible rationale behind the Israeli operation”. Israeli officials have consistently rejected such criticism. In response to the new statement, the Israeli embassy in London said it was bound by international law.It added: “Israel continues to act against a genocidal terrorist organisation which commits war crimes as well as crimes against humanity.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that only full military pressure on Hamas will secure the further release of hostages, while the army says it has destroyed significant underground infrastructure used by the group, including command centres, weapons sites and facilities for holding hostages. On Saturday, the Israeli military said: “Throughout [the city of] Khan Yunis, we have eliminated over 2,000 terrorists above and below ground.”Israel has repeatedly rejected claims it deliberately targets civilians, accusing Hamas of hiding in and around civilian infrastructure. Since the start of the war, more than 26,750 Palestinians have been killed and at least 65,000 injured, according to health officials in the Gaza Strip, which has been governed by Hamas and blockaded by Israel and Egypt since 2007. Israeli officials say that 9,000 of those killed were Hamas militants but have not provided evidence for the figure. More than 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas attacks of October 7th, and a further 100 died of their injuries according to Israeli officials. More than 250 people were taken as hostages into Gaza. Image source, Getty ImagesThe US administration has repeatedly said that “far too many Palestinians have been killed” in Gaza, and that Israel has the right to ensure October 7th “can never happen again”. It has recently adopted a tougher line over elements of Israeli policy, including becoming increasingly outspoken over a failure to act against settler violence in the occupied West Bank. On Thursday, President Biden announced the first ever US sanctions against settlers responsible for attacking Palestinians. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has previously attempted to address reservations over US policy within the ranks of the State Department, telling officials in November: “We’re listening: what you share is informing our policy and our messages.” The department has a “dissent channel” set up during the Vietnam War to enable diplomats to express disagreements with official US positions without fear of retaliation.In the latest statement, the largest numbers of signatories are understood to be working in EU institutions, the Netherlands and the US. Most of the US government officials who signed are understood to work for the State Department, while others are officials serving at the White House, Homeland Security, Justice and other government departments. The BBC has previously reported on dissent among some UK Foreign Office staff amid wider complaints over a failure to explicitly highlight the spiralling civilian death toll in Gaza. It is understood that “staff counsellors” in the Foreign Office previously collated internal concerns, but that there is currently disquiet at the lack of formal mechanism to register dissent over the Israel-Hamas war. Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warIsraelPalestinian territoriesUnited StatesWest BankJoe BidenMore on this storyUS sanctions Israeli settlers over West Bank violencePublished13 hours agoIsraelis tell MPs of Hamas sexual violence evidencePublished1 day agoAt least half of Gaza buildings damaged or destroyed, new analysis showsPublished2 days agoIsrael W Bank hospital raid kills three Palestinian fightersPublished2 days agoTop StoriesLive. Brianna Ghey’s killers named as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie RatcliffeI’ve never felt such grief, says Brianna’s motherPublished9 minutes agoWatch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrested. VideoWatch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrestedPublished1 hour agoFeaturesThe Ukraine schools moving underground to keep pupils safeWill Ferrari gamble pay off for Hamilton?AttributionSportWeekly quiz: Who led the Vikings in Shetland’s fire festival?Hunt for Clapham attacker and Gazza’s plea to RashfordWhat we know about hunt for Clapham attackerUS and UK strikes fail to slow Houthi attacksFawlty Towers stage show to launch in West EndNo ordinary backyards… the best garden photos of year’We’re not playing by the same rules’: French farmers on protestsElsewhere on the BBCWhat makes us Brits so funny?Join Ian Hislop on his quest to track down the earliest examples of British comedyAttributionSounds’Comedy saved my life’First broadcast in 2010, hear Frank Skinner’s desert island picks and personal revelationsAttributionSounds’If I can’t live with you, I don’t want to live anyway’The Hungarian footballer executed for loveAttributionSoundsThe surprising health benefits of doing the plankMichael Mosley explores whether it outshines crunches or sit-ups…AttributionSoundsMost Read1Student jailed for fiance’s car drag death2Elton John and Tony Blair at Derek Draper’s funeral3Clapham suspect convicted of sex offence in 20184’I’ve never felt such grief’ – Brianna Ghey mother5Toxic road run-off polluting ‘Bake Off’ stream6Is the Suicide Squad game dead on arrival?7Abstract scene named Garden Photo of the Year8Cash offer for new childcare workers amid shortage9Hunt for Clapham attacker and Gazza’s plea to Rashford10Water bills to rise above inflation in April [ad_1] In the latest statement, the largest numbers of signatories are understood to be working in EU institutions, the Netherlands and the US. Most of the US government officials who… Continue reading
newsinsightplus.com 20184Ive7th February 2, 2024 0 Comments BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaWestern officials in protest over Israel Gaza policyPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, Getty ImagesBy Tom BatemanBBC State Department correspondentMore than 800 serving officials in the US and Europe have signed a statement warning that their own governments’ policies on the Israel-Gaza war could amount to “grave violations of international law”.The “transatlantic statement”, a copy of which was passed to the BBC, says their administrations risk being complicit in “one of the worst human catastrophes of this century” but that their expert advice has been sidelined. It is the latest sign of significant levels of dissent within the governments of some of Israel’s key Western allies.One signatory to the statement, a US government official with more than 25 years’ national security experience, told the BBC of the “continued dismissal” of their concerns.”The voices of those who understand the region and the dynamics were not listened to,” said the official.”What’s really different here is we’re not failing to prevent something, we’re actively complicit. That is fundamentally different from any other situation I can recall,” added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The statement is signed by civil servants from the US, the EU and 11 European countries including the UK, France and Germany. It says Israel has shown “no boundaries” in its military operations in Gaza, “which has resulted in tens of thousands of preventable civilian deaths; and… the deliberate blocking of aid… putting thousands of civilians at risk of starvation and slow death.””There is a plausible risk that our governments’ policies are contributing to grave violations of international law, war crimes and even ethnic cleansing or genocide,” it said.Israelis tell MPs of Hamas sexual violence evidenceInjured, hungry and alone – the Gazan children orphaned by warThe identities of those who signed or endorsed the statement have not been made public and the BBC has not seen a list of names, but understands that nearly half are officials who each have at least a decade of experience in government. One retired US ambassador told the BBC that the coordination by dissenting civil servants in multiple governments was unprecedented.”It’s unique in my experience watching foreign policy in the last 40 years,” said Robert Ford, a former American ambassador to Algeria and Syria. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Biden’s support for Israel has lost him votes among Arab AmericansHe likened it to concerns within the US administration in 2003 over faulty intelligence leading up to the invasion of Iraq, but said this time many officials with reservations did not want to remain silent. “[Then there were] people who knew better, who knew that intelligence was being cherry-picked, who knew that there wasn’t a plan for the day after, but nobody said anything publicly. And that turned out to be a serious problem,” he said. “The problems with the Gaza war are so serious and the implications are so serious that they feel compelled to go public,” he said. The officials argue the current nature of their governments’ military, political or diplomatic support for Israel “without real conditions or accountability” not only risks further Palestinian deaths, but also endangers the lives of hostages held by Hamas, as well as Israel’s own security and regional stability. “Israel’s military operations have disregarded all important counterterrorism expertise gained since 9/11… the [military] operation has not contributed to Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas and has instead strengthened the appeal of Hamas, Hezbollah and other negative actors”. Why are Israel and Hamas fighting in Gaza?The officials say they have expressed their professional concerns internally but have been “overruled by political and ideological considerations”. The US State Department, the European Union Commission and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been approached for comment.The statement suggests that while Israel’s military operation has caused unprecedented destruction of lives and property in Gaza, there appears to be no workable strategy to effectively remove Hamas as a threat, nor for a political solution to ensure Israel’s security in the longer term. It calls for the US and European governments to “stop asserting to the public that there is a strategic and defensible rationale behind the Israeli operation”. Israeli officials have consistently rejected such criticism. In response to the new statement, the Israeli embassy in London said it was bound by international law.It added: “Israel continues to act against a genocidal terrorist organisation which commits war crimes as well as crimes against humanity.”Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that only full military pressure on Hamas will secure the further release of hostages, while the army says it has destroyed significant underground infrastructure used by the group, including command centres, weapons sites and facilities for holding hostages. On Saturday, the Israeli military said: “Throughout [the city of] Khan Yunis, we have eliminated over 2,000 terrorists above and below ground.”Israel has repeatedly rejected claims it deliberately targets civilians, accusing Hamas of hiding in and around civilian infrastructure. Since the start of the war, more than 26,750 Palestinians have been killed and at least 65,000 injured, according to health officials in the Gaza Strip, which has been governed by Hamas and blockaded by Israel and Egypt since 2007. Israeli officials say that 9,000 of those killed were Hamas militants but have not provided evidence for the figure. More than 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas attacks of October 7th, and a further 100 died of their injuries according to Israeli officials. More than 250 people were taken as hostages into Gaza. Image source, Getty ImagesThe US administration has repeatedly said that “far too many Palestinians have been killed” in Gaza, and that Israel has the right to ensure October 7th “can never happen again”. It has recently adopted a tougher line over elements of Israeli policy, including becoming increasingly outspoken over a failure to act against settler violence in the occupied West Bank. On Thursday, President Biden announced the first ever US sanctions against settlers responsible for attacking Palestinians. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has previously attempted to address reservations over US policy within the ranks of the State Department, telling officials in November: “We’re listening: what you share is informing our policy and our messages.” The department has a “dissent channel” set up during the Vietnam War to enable diplomats to express disagreements with official US positions without fear of retaliation.In the latest statement, the largest numbers of signatories are understood to be working in EU institutions, the Netherlands and the US. Most of the US government officials who signed are understood to work for the State Department, while others are officials serving at the White House, Homeland Security, Justice and other government departments. The BBC has previously reported on dissent among some UK Foreign Office staff amid wider complaints over a failure to explicitly highlight the spiralling civilian death toll in Gaza. It is understood that “staff counsellors” in the Foreign Office previously collated internal concerns, but that there is currently disquiet at the lack of formal mechanism to register dissent over the Israel-Hamas war. Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warIsraelPalestinian territoriesUnited StatesWest BankJoe BidenMore on this storyUS sanctions Israeli settlers over West Bank violencePublished13 hours agoIsraelis tell MPs of Hamas sexual violence evidencePublished1 day agoAt least half of Gaza buildings damaged or destroyed, new analysis showsPublished2 days agoIsrael W Bank hospital raid kills three Palestinian fightersPublished2 days agoTop StoriesLive. Brianna Ghey’s killers named as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie RatcliffeI’ve never felt such grief, says Brianna’s motherPublished9 minutes agoWatch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrested. VideoWatch: Footage of Brianna Ghey’s killers being arrestedPublished1 hour agoFeaturesThe Ukraine schools moving underground to keep pupils safeWill Ferrari gamble pay off for Hamilton?AttributionSportWeekly quiz: Who led the Vikings in Shetland’s fire festival?Hunt for Clapham attacker and Gazza’s plea to RashfordWhat we know about hunt for Clapham attackerUS and UK strikes fail to slow Houthi attacksFawlty Towers stage show to launch in West EndNo ordinary backyards… the best garden photos of year’We’re not playing by the same rules’: French farmers on protestsElsewhere on the BBCWhat makes us Brits so funny?Join Ian Hislop on his quest to track down the earliest examples of British comedyAttributionSounds’Comedy saved my life’First broadcast in 2010, hear Frank Skinner’s desert island picks and personal revelationsAttributionSounds’If I can’t live with you, I don’t want to live anyway’The Hungarian footballer executed for loveAttributionSoundsThe surprising health benefits of doing the plankMichael Mosley explores whether it outshines crunches or sit-ups…AttributionSoundsMost Read1Student jailed for fiance’s car drag death2Elton John and Tony Blair at Derek Draper’s funeral3Clapham suspect convicted of sex offence in 20184’I’ve never felt such grief’ – Brianna Ghey mother5Toxic road run-off polluting ‘Bake Off’ stream6Is the Suicide Squad game dead on arrival?7Abstract scene named Garden Photo of the Year8Cash offer for new childcare workers amid shortage9Hunt for Clapham attacker and Gazza’s plea to Rashford10Water bills to rise above inflation in April [ad_1] In the latest statement, the largest numbers of signatories are understood to be working in EU institutions, the Netherlands and the US. Most of the US government officials who… Continue reading