The United Kingdom takes the lead internationally
In the most IMPORTANT international development in regard to the Gaza War thus far – anywhere, the British Foreign Secretary has spoken to Iran to beg them not to get involved. Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Friday, it has just been announced. James Cleverly urged Iran to use its influence with groups in the Middle East region to prevent an escalation of Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The significance of this cannot be overstated. It is far more important, by a mile, than Blinken’s fruitless visit to the Middle East.
In the UK, effective pro-Palestinian demonstrations are taking place regularly. That in the video first above was at Birmingham Grand Central Station. That in the video immediately above was in Central London.
Meanwhile, however, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said, in reference to a planned ‘million march for Palestine’ taking place on 11 November, that “to plan protests on Armistice Day is provocative and disrespectful, and would be an affront to the British public and the values we stand for”. On a positive note the organisers have delayed the demonstration until two hours after the Armistice remembrance ceremony for Britain’s war dead. Nonetheless, the organisers have been badly advised as it may be counterproductive and actually reduce support for Gaza as some Britons will regard it as distasteful should it go ahead on that particular date.
Meanwhile the Chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee Robert Courts MP, has stated that Hamas would not honour any ceasefire and that, “Israel has a right to defend itself”. Courts noted that “Israel has been the victim of a barbaric attack which is unparalleled since the Holocaust”, and therefore “Israel has one of the hardest military tasks imaginable as they fight that campaign”.
United States of America
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been on a trip to Israel and Jordan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heard Arab demands for a ceasefire this weekend. Blinken met Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, asking for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting to allow aid into Gaza. Netanyahu said it won’t happen until Hamas frees Israel’s hostages. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has indicated that Mr. Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defence, “in accordance with international humanitarian law”, while also emphasizing the crucial necessity of taking all necessary precautions to minimize civilian casualties and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The U.S. support for Israel has upset its Arab allies. It has also upset some Americans who marched on Washington yesterday. Others have taken more dramatic action.
Arab World
As Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip tightens, an increasing number of countries have been showcasing their solidarity with the Palestinians. Jordan has announced its decision to recall its ambassador to Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has stated that their ambassador will only return once Israel ceases its military actions in the besieged territory. Additionally, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have individually issued statements condemning Israel’s airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp, which caused the deaths of dozens of people on Tuesday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later claimed that the strike targeted Hamas’s command and control infrastructure in the area.
South America
Beyond the Arab world, Bolivia has formally severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Two other Latin American nations, Colombia and Chile, have recalled their ambassadors in Tel Aviv for consultations, strongly denouncing the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and urging an immediate ceasefire. In Latin America, the political leanings of countries play a significant role in their stance on the Palestinian cause. Left-leaning nations in the region tend to express sympathy for the Palestinian cause, while more right-wing countries often align with the U.S.’s position. Chile stands out with the largest and one of the oldest Palestinian communities outside the Arab world, comprising an estimated 350,000 immigrants and their descendants residing in the country.
United Nations
As of the present date, over half a million Palestinians, who were displaced from their homes as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign, have sought refuge in schools and other properties associated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, has voiced his concerns, noting that the pervasive hunger and despair among these displaced individuals is gradually being transformed into anger directed at the international community. He stated that the limited aid allowed into Gaza through Egypt since last week falls far short of meeting the region’s urgent humanitarian needs. Israel initiated the allowance of restricted aid into Gaza on October 21st.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a statement expressing deep concern. He noted that instead of a much-needed humanitarian pause in the fighting, which has received international support, Israel has intensified its military operations in the region. He says he is “Horrified” by Israel’s recent direct targeted strike on an ambulance.
UNRWA has been severely impacted by the ongoing air raids, resulting in the loss of over 50 of its staff members and significant constraints on the movement of essential supplies. The UN agency has further reported that some of its shelters are currently accommodating 10 to 12 times more people than their intended capacity, highlighting the overwhelming challenges they face in providing assistance and shelter to those affected by the conflict in Gaza.
The image used first above is from Ri_Ya.
