The EU’s most pointless job
Josep Borrell loves to condemn things — sometimes in the “strongest possible terms.” Does it ever have any impact?
International humanitarian law
Netanyahu says UK has ‘undermined’ Israel with arms embargo
The Israeli prime minister accused Keir Starmer’s government of “sending mixed messages.”
UN says Israel killed 6 staff in airstrikes on refugee camp
“These dramatic violations of international humanitarian law need to stop now,” U.N. chief António Guterres said.
US asked UK in August what it would take to reconsider Israeli weapons suspension
Lammy told Blinken that the U.K. was not considering any other weapons suspensions in the short-term.
From a hospital in Gaza: ‘Please let me die’
We urge the international and medical community to demand an immediate and permanent cease-fire, and to allow access to the humanitarian aid so desperately needed.
UK arms-sale ban won’t make any difference to war, says former Israeli PM
Ehud Olmert tells POLITICO’s Power Play podcast that Israel’s allies should instead focus on lack “of any political horizon or end game strategy” from Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu blasts ‘shameful’ UK ban on Israel arms exports
Israeli PM vows: “With or without British arms, Israel will win this war and secure our common future.”
Boris Johnson accuses UK Labour of ‘abandoning Israel’
Former prime minister asks if the British government “want Hamas to win” after it partially suspends arms sales to Israel.
Tuesday briefing: Why the far right’s success in German state elections can’t be written off as a local phenomenon any more
In today’s newsletter: Alternative für Deutschland have deployed Nazi rhetoric throughout their rise – and they are pulling the mainstream further to the right• Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. For the first time since …
The UK partially suspends its arms sales to Israel
London has taken this step based on the risk of ‘serious violations of international humanitarian law’ in Gaza. While the measure is symbolic, as British exports account for just 1% of Israeli arms imports, the move from a staunch ally is a harsh blow …
UK suspends some arms sales to Israel
British review finds real risk weapons could be used in violation of international humanitarian law — but stops short of calling for blanket ban.
The Observer view on Russia: Putin’s retaliation against Ukraine must persuade Biden to relent over arms
Putin’s boycotting of the anniversary of the Geneva conventions further demonstrates his opinions on international humanitarian law and the laws of warThe huge waves of lethal Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities last week had three ma…
‘Thousands’ of troops part of incursion aiming to ‘destabilise’ Russia, says top Ukrainian official
Thousands of Ukrainian troops are participating in an incursion into Russia that entered its sixth day on Sunday, a top Ukrainian official told AFP. The official said that Ukrainian troops would respect international humanitarian law while on Russian …
EU, US denounce alleged sexual abuse and torture of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli troops
EU “gravely concerned” by reports of torture and sexual abuse of prisoners from Palestine.
Fincantieri CEO on Trump, defense spending and consolidation
SNEAK PEEK — Fincantieri boss Pierroberto Folgiero is looking to the Middle East and Southeast Asia for growth, he told Jacopo. — The U.K.’s new government is under pressure to halt arms sales to Israel. — F-35s, Eurofighters and GCAP: Morning Defense brings you the latest news on fighter jets. Good morning, and welcome to […]
Zelenskyy calls on Starmer to approve missiles
Ukraine leader is first to address a U.K. Cabinet meeting since Bill Clinton.
Spain to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel
The EU has largely remained silent on the case before the International Court of Justice.
US ambassador backs Starmer’s split from Lammy on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
“I think Keir has been tough and strong with his membership,” says U.S. ambassador to the U.K. of Starmer’s messaging on the Gaza conflict.
EU foreign ministers discuss sanctions against Israel
“For the first time at an EU meeting, in a real way, I’ve seen significant discussion on sanctions and ‘what if’,” Ireland’s foreign minister said.
Netanyahu case will make or break the ICC
The Hague court is coming in for scrutiny over Israel-Hamas moves.
Blinken reiterates human rights findings on Israel
A report released Friday found that Israeli forces may have violated international humanitarian law, though it did not formally find that they had done so.
US says Israel’s use of weapons may have violated international law
The Biden administration on Friday (10 May) said Israel’s use of US-supplied weapons may have violated international humanitarian law during its military operation in Gaza, in its strongest criticism to date of Israel.
David Cameron: UK not planning to cut arms to Israel if it invades Rafah
Britain, unlike the US, is not a ‘massive state supplier for weapons to Israel,’ says UK’s top diplomat.
US report on Israel’s wartime conduct in Gaza delayed, aides say
The State Department was expected to issue a report on Wednesday.
Norway foreign minister accuses west of double standards on Gaza at World Economic Forum – video
Norway’s foreign minister has criticised some western countries for their inconsistent responses to violations of international law in Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking on the second day of the World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Esp…
Some US officials believe Israel may be violating international law in Gaza: memo
Senior US officials have advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they do not find “credible or reliable” Israel’s assurances that it is using US-supplied weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to an internal memo..
Israel rebukes US calls for investigation into mass graves in Gaza
“Investigate what?” an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said.
Belgian agency aid worker killed in Gaza
The Belgian foreign minister summoned Israel’s ambassador in response to the death of the agency employee.
Kharkiv TV tower destroyed in Russian missile attack
Ukrainian media representatives called on the international community to investigate the attack as a war crime.
UK support to Israel ‘not unconditional,’ Cameron warns
Israel should abide by international humanitarian law, foreign secretary says.
UK urged to stop selling weapons to Israel after killing of aid workers
The deaths of three British aid workers in Gaza prompted calls to halt exports.
EU excoriates Israel for killing food aid workers in Gaza
Israeli faces growing condemnation for high death toll of humanitarian workers.
Ireland to intervene on South Africa’s behalf in ICJ genocide case against Israel
Dublin alleges “blatant violation” of humanitarian law in Gaza.
Top Biden adviser reveals she confronted Netanyahu
Power revealed the details of her conversation with Netanyahu at POLITICO’s Health Care Summit today in Washington.
Von der Leyen’s human rights hypocrisy
The European Commission chief is emboldening oppressive leaders, in effect telling them, don’t do as I say, if I bother to mention anything, do what you want to do.
Macron tells Netanyahu France is against Israeli offensive in Rafah
France fears Israeli offensive in Rafah could lead to a humanitarian disaster “of a new magnitude.”
Court orders Dutch to stop shipping F-35 parts to Israel
The ruling comes as Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives in Israel for a visit.
[Opinion] The ICJ has spoken — the EU must listen and change course
The EU is divided. Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has rightly favoured a more pro-human rights course, as have Spain, Ireland and Belgium, while Germany has looked the other way in the face of manifest violations of international humanitarian law.
Biden: Two-state solution still possible with Netanyahu in power
The two leaders also spoke by phone on Friday.
Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 685
Conscription will not cover women, says Ukrainian MP; Russian warplane ‘accidentally’ drops bomb; Black Sea corridor moves 15m tonnes of cargoSee all our Russia-Ukraine war coverageRussia targeted Ukraine with dozens of missiles, killing at least four …
EU and UK slam Israeli ministers’ call for ‘voluntary emigration’ from Gaza Strip
Foreign policy reps in Brussels, London and Madrid hit out at Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Israel ‘creating massive obstacles’ to Gaza aid, UN chief says
‘An effective aid operation in Gaza requires security,’ UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote on X.
Germany stands with Ukraine in its existential struggle
No country wants peace more than Ukraine. But a simple cease-fire today would be tantamount to legitimizing Russia’s land grab and pave the way for yet another frozen conflict.
Israel recalls envoy in Madrid over Spanish PM’s comments
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Spanish prime minister says he doubts Israel is respecting international law
Pedro Sánchez condemns Hamas terror attacks but urges Israel to rethink operations in GazaThe Israeli government has recalled its ambassador in Madrid and said it will be reprimanding Spain’s top diplomat in Tel Aviv after the Spanish prime minister, P…
Israel accuses Spain, Belgium leaders of backing ‘terrorism’ after Gaza remarks
Prime Minister Netanyahu said he ‘strongly condemns’ the comments by Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and Belgian PM Alexander De Croo.
U.S. has sent Israel data on aid group locations to try to prevent strikes
Among the sites provided to the Israeli government are medical facilities, including Al-Shifa hospital, which Israeli forces raided last week.
Borrell says ‘no’ to Israel’s reoccupying Gaza after war
The EU top diplomat’s comments aligned with U.S Secretary of State’s warning that Israel cannot reoccupy Gaza.
Macron attempts damage control after comments criticizing Israel
The French president’s initial response to the war was seen as breaking with France’s pro-Arab tradition.
Josep Borrell: The EU’s undiplomatic top diplomat
The EU’s chief diplomat is drawing criticism from capitals for his take on Israel-Hamas.
UN sounds alarm on Darfur, warns world not to repeat history
At least 800 people were killed within 72 hours this week as part of the ethnic cleansing of minorities conducted by the RSF and its allies in West Darfur.
‘They are monsters’: Israel foreign minister rails against Hamas during MEP audience
Gruesome footage of October 7 attacks shown to MEPs and officials.
Israel blasts ‘antisemitic’ Amnesty over finding of ‘war crimes, by all parties’
Rights group calls for ‘an immediate ceasefire.’
EU leaders reach agreement on Middle East – as it happened
This blog has now closed. You can read our full report on the EU summit hereAhead of the leaders’ summit, a group of Irish members of the European parliament from different political families called for a ceasefire in Gaza. The group urged “the Council…
International Humanitarian Law: Who is eligible for protection?
This week the Beyond the Byline podcast takes a deep dive into the global rules governing warfare – or international humanitarian law, as it’s officially called. The rules, established in the wake of the Second World War, seek to limit…