LONDON: The British government is applying “double standards and hypocrisy” to its policies toward Israel and international law, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot has said.
Zomlot slammed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for rejecting South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
“The UK government stands by Israel’s clear right to defend itself within the framework of international law,” a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
Zomlot said the UK has suffered “reputational damage” in the Middle East, describing its opposition to the genocide allegations as “a self-appointment as international judges,” and “interference in the international judicial system.”
The Palestinian envoy also condemned a government bill banning public bodies from boycotting economic activity with Israel or Israeli settlements, the BBC reported. The bill passed its third and final reading in the House of Commons last Wednesday and will now proceed to the House of Lords.
“This is the inconsistency,” Zomlot said at a news conference in London. “Where are you (the UK) exactly? Do you consider Israel’s occupation of the 1967 borders to be a military occupation and colonization?
“There is such inconsistency in the UK policy that I... no longer understand if you ask me, ‘What is the UK policy vis-a-vis Palestine?’ I don’t know. Inconsistent, contradictory.”
However, Zomlot welcomed the UK’s recent decision to ban Israeli settlers responsible for attacks on Palestinians from entering the country.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the move on X last month after the US revealed a similar plan.
“(This is) welcomed,” Zomlot said. “In my opinion, that was a very significant moment — not because of the policy itself, but because this is the first time in 75 years the UK takes any step that has to do with sanctions (on Israel).”
There has been a reported increase in settler violence against Palestinians in recent months, especially since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Around 700,000 Jewish settlers live in 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war and Palestinians claim for a future state.
Palestinian envoy slams UK over ‘double standards’ in policies toward Israel
https://arab.news/v9uaj
Palestinian envoy slams UK over ‘double standards’ in policies toward Israel
- Britain has suffered ‘reputational damage’ in Middle East because of ‘contradictory’ stance, says Husam Zomlot
Norway’s King Harald to stay in hospital to treat infection: doctor
- The king was taken to hospital while on holiday on the Spanish island
- “The infection stems from a skin infection on one of his legs,” the doctor said
OSLO: Norway’s King Harald V will have to stay in hospital in Tenerife for a few days because of leg infection, but the 89-year-old monarch’s health is generally good, his personal doctor said Wednesday.
The king was taken to hospital while on holiday on the Spanish island, suffering from an infection and dehydration.
“The king’s overall health is good and he is responding well to treatment. The infection stems from a skin infection on one of his legs,” the doctor, Bjorn Bendz, said in a royal statement.
“The king will remain in hospital for a few more days for observation and continued treatment,” he added.
Europe’s oldest monarch was admitted to Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Tenerife on Tuesday evening. He was on a private visit with his wife, Queen Sonja, 88, and celebrated his latest birthday on Saturday.
“When people who are nearly 90 are admitted to hospital for an infection, it’s a serious situation,” said Bendz.
“It is important that we have a good overview and full control of his state of health before the king can leave hospital — even if his condition is stable at the moment,” he added.
Harald, who has been king since 1991, has suffered health problems in recent years that have forced him to scale back his official schedule. But he has always ruled out abdicating.
During a private trip to Malaysia two years ago, he picked up an infection and was taken to hospital before being flown home after having a pacemaker fitted.
Harald’s health worries come as the Norwegian monarchy is confronting scandals.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who married Harald’s son, Crown Prince Haakon, in 2001, appears multiple times in documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing an unsuspected closeness with the late American sex offender.
Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, is on trial on 38 charges in Oslo, including four rapes and assaults. The 29-year-old, who is not a member of the royal family, denies the most serious charges.
The popularity of the Norwegian royal family has fallen to its lowest level, according to a poll published on Saturday by public broadcaster NRK.
Only 60 percent of the population supports the monarchy — 10 percent less than the previous month. NRK said the support “has never been so low.”
Harald, however, is a popular unifying figure, scoring 9.2 out of 10, the survey suggested.
