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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TN surpasses Gujarat, Maharashtra to become India''s top textile exporter
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu has emerged as India's top state in textile exports, recording shipments worth USD 7,997.17 million for the fiscal year 2024-25, which is an increase of 29.12 per cent over the last four years, the government said.
The state has witnessed a 29 per cent increase in export value in the last four years, an official release said.
In 2020-21, Tamil Nadu's textile exports stood at USD 6,193 million.
Chief Minister M K Stalin said Tamil Nadu has successfully outpaced competitors like Gujarat and Maharashtra to secure the first position.
"Tamil Nadu's export volume of textiles, which was USD 6,193.39 million in 2020-21 due to the planned actions of the Dravidian Model government, rose to USD 7,997.17 million in the next four years. Overall, in India's exports, Tamil Nadu accounts for 21.84 per cent," he wrote in a social media post.
As per the National-Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade data, the value of textile goods shipped from India was USD 36,610 million, of which Tamil Nadu accounted for USD 7,997.17 million.
The National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade is a dedicated platform launched by the Centre to provide real-time comprehensive data on foreign trade.
"Tamil Nadu is in first place in India in textile export," the release said.
The state has emerged at the top with higher exports among all other states, the release said, adding that schemes implemented by every government department led to a multifaceted growth of the State.
Gujarat bagged the second rank with exports of USD 5,646.01 million followed by Maharashtra at USD 3,831.29 million, it added.
