Britain, Canada, France warn Israel over Gaza offensive, threaten joint action
Paris: The leaders of Britain, France, and Canada have jointly condemned Israel’s "egregious actions" in Gaza and warned of "further concrete actions" if the Israeli government does not halt its renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued on May 19, Prime Minister Keir Starmer (UK), President Emmanuel Macron (France), and Prime Minister Mark Carney (Canada) denounced Israel’s aid blockade and rhetoric from Israeli ministers suggesting mass displacement of Palestinians.
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions,” the statement read. “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
The leaders also reiterated their commitment to recognising a Palestinian state, calling it “a contribution to achieving a two-state solution.”
The warning coincided with a broader call from 22 countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, urging Israel to allow full resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the population “faces starvation.” Israel, which had imposed a total blockade since March 2, announced on Monday that a limited number of aid trucks would be allowed in.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely rejected the statement, accusing the Western leaders of rewarding Hamas for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. “By demanding a Palestinian state and asking Israel to end a defensive war, these leaders are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel,” he said.
Netanyahu maintained that the war could end if Hamas surrenders, hostages are released, and Gaza is demilitarised. “Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved,” he stated, describing the conflict as “a war of civilisation over barbarism.”
The joint statement also criticised Israeli ministers’ threats of displacement, stating that “permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.” It further said that denial of humanitarian aid “risks breaching international humanitarian law.”
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 3,340 people have died since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, bringing the total death toll in Gaza to 53,486. On the Israeli side, the October 7 attack by Hamas claimed 1,218 lives, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.
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UP cites SC ruling 'no loudspeakers during night hours' to clarify mosque announcements for Ramzan
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday clarified its stand on announcements from mosques for 'sehri' and 'iftar' during Ramzan, saying the practice dates back to a time when clocks were not widely in use, and that the Supreme Court orders on use of loudspeakers remained in force.
Samajwadi Party member Kamal Akhtar raised the issue during Zero Hour in the Assembly, saying since festivals of all religions, including Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Kanwar Yatra as well as Christian and Sikh celebrations, are observed in the state, mosques should be allowed to use loudspeakers for making announcements during the holy month of Ramzan that commenced on Thursday.
Akhtar said brief announcements are traditionally made from the mosques to inform people observing fast about the timings of ‘sehri’ (pre-dawn meal) and ‘iftar’ (meal to break the fast).
He also claimed that the government recently removed loudspeakers from most religious places, and urged it to permit mosque announcements during Ramzan to provide relief to people.
The Supreme Court prohibits the use of loudspeakers, public address systems, and sound-producing instruments from 10 pm to 6 am, except in closed premises such as auditoriums, conference rooms, and banquet halls for internal communication.
Responding to Akhtar, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Supreme Court has clearly directed that loudspeakers should not be used after 10 pm.
Even at weddings, police ensure compliance if complaints are received about loudspeakers being used beyond the stipulated time, he said.
Referring to the tradition of mosque announcements for ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’, Khanna said the practice originated when clocks were not common and people estimated time by the position of the sun.
“Today, almost every person – whether a rickshaw puller, street vendor or vegetable seller – has a mobile phone that shows time. So the necessity is no longer there,” he said.
While the government does not interfere in anyone's religious beliefs, the Supreme Court has laid down the rules on the use of loudspeakers, and “it is not our order”, the minister said.
Claiming that the apex court order relates to sound levels and does not prohibit the use of loudspeakers, Akhtar urged the minister to allow the announcements during Ramzan.
The minister, however, did not offer any further reply.
