Britain’s Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza have left it vulnerable to accusations of flouting international law.
In his first appearance before MPs scrutinising foreign affairs since he was appointed, the former prime minister also admitted that as the “de facto” occupying power in Gaza, Israel had humanitarian obligations.
He conceded that the current conflict, in which Britain has so far refused to call for an all-out ceasefire, was leading to “stress” in relationships with Arab countries, with the death toll among Palestinians approaching 23,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Mr Cameron also warned the Houthis in Yemen to cease their actions against Red Sea shipping, or “consequences will follow”.
Israel vulnerable
During some fractious questioning by MPs on the foreign affairs committee, Mr Cameron was asked by Bob Seely if “reading between the lines” lawyers were saying that the Israelis are “vulnerable to a challenge in relation to proportionality” in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“It’s close to that,” Mr Cameron replied.
He added that it would be for “a court to say that’s genocide” – something he did not believe to be the case – and that Britain did not agree with South Africa’s current challenge against Israel in the ICJ.
Mr Cameron also confirmed that he had not received legal advice that Israel was in breach of international law.
Occupying force
In a heated exchange with the committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, he was repeatedly asked if Israel was the occupying power in Gaza and as such had to look after its civilian population.
“They are the de facto occupying power,” he finally said. “When it comes to aid delivery they need to do more.” However, he also suggested that Israel did not regard itself as an “occupying force”.
But he criticised the lack of humanitarian lorries getting into Gaza, with 150 arriving daily rather than the 500 required.
“Every day there’s more hunger and disease,” he said. “90 per cent of Gazans are getting less than one meal a day.”
Crossings from Egypt needed to open seven days a week and Britain had made a list of humanitarian requests. “Only the Israelis can really fix this,” he said. “It needs to be fixed and fixed urgently.”
Mr Cameron, who has twice visited the Middle East since his surprise appointment in November, added that Israel needed to “do better in the south than they did in the north” of Gaza.
Damaged relationships
It was put to him that Britain’s failure to call for an immediate ceasefire might have damaged its friendships with Arab nations including the UAE and Bahrain.
“Fundamentally it doesn’t,” he said. “There’s stress there because the Arab states have called for an immediate ceasefire and are deeply concerned for the loss of life.
“They understand we are not being deliberately difficult or obtuse about this, but that it’s very practical British common sense.”
He knew that Arab countries were “disappointed” but understood Britain’s internal politics.
Giant rebuild
He added that assessments he had seen stated that Hamas had lost “50 per cent of their capacity and capability”.
Once the war was over, rebuilding Gaza would require a “giant international effort because level of destruction so great”.
This would mean bringing together Arab states, Europe and America as well as Israel to fund the enterprise.
Houthi consequences
On the Houthis' attacks against shipping in the southern Red Sea, he warned of the danger of escalation if the Iranian-backed rebels continued.
Both the US and UK have threatened direct action if the Houthi missile and fast boat attacks do not cease. Mr Cameron warned: “I don’t’ think we can continue to accept this impact on freedom of navigation,” adding that “consequences will follow”.
He also said that he “applauded” Saudi Arabia in making “real progress” towards finding a lasting peace agreement with the Houthis.
New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
New Zealand 15
Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions: B Barrett
Penalties: B Barrett
British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Read more about the coronavirus
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
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Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The%20specs
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The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
