JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed the “hypocritical and mendacious moralising” remarks of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who warned of possible “long-lasting apartheid” in Israel.
Speaking about clashes between Jews and Arabs that erupted in several Israeli cities during the latest conflict with Gaza, Le Drian said the “risk of apartheid is high” without an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“If in the future we had a solution other than the two-state solution, we would have the ingredients of long-lasting apartheid,” Le Drian told RTL radio and Le Figaro newspaper in a Sunday interview.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu expressed his “sharp protest” against the French government, following Le Drian’s “outrageous” remarks.
“The minister said that Israel was liable to become an apartheid state — a brazen, false claim that is without any foundation,” Netanyahu said in a video recording issued by his office.
“We will not accept any hypocritical and mendacious moralising on this issue,” he said.
Israeli air strikes and artillery fire on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 people in 11 days of conflict from May 10, the health ministry in Gaza says.
Rocket and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager, an Israeli soldier, one Indian national and two Thai workers, medics say. Some 357 people in Israel were wounded.
The US-based group Human Rights Watch and Israel’s B’Tselem recently accused Israel of running an “apartheid” system, a charge Israel has strongly rejected.
Netanyahu lashes out at French FM after ‘apartheid’ risk comment
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Netanyahu lashes out at French FM after ‘apartheid’ risk comment
- Netanyahu expressed his “sharp protest” against the French government, following Le Drian’s “outrageous” remarks
Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy
- Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice
RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of a senior commander.
The attack in the Jaoula area of Lahj governorate targeted vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, who heads the second division of the Giants Forces.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said there were numerous deaths injuries and called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all human and moral values.”
He said the coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, will continue coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the security of citizens and maintain stability, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He called for people to work with the Yemeni government and military authorities to confront any sabotage attempts or terrorist operations targeting the security and stability of liberated governorates.
Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice.
