
Joint statement on Gaza from AFP, AP, BBC News and Reuters
'Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.
'We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.'
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Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sister of Scots October 7 victim slams Lib Dem MP for 'demeaning' Israeli captives
The sister of a Scot killed by Hamas has hit out at a Scots MP after he described hostages being held by Hamas as the terror group's 'bargaining power'. Laura Schosloff, whose brother Bernard Cowan was killed in the October 7 atrocity, said the language used by Liberal Democrat Angus MacDonald was 'demeaning' as it treated them more like 'tools' than the human beings they are. Her reaction comes as Mr MacDonald's party faced growing pressure to suspend him over his remarks. The outcry came after the MP was asked by a constituent on social media site Facebook if he would ask Hamas to release remaining hostages, and replied: 'If they release the hostages then Israel will completely obliterate any of Palestine left, it's the only bargaining power they have left.' Reacting to his choice of words, Ms Schosloff said: 'I think it's demeaning to refer to the hostages as a bargaining tool. Hostages are people. It's not like you are going to buy a house and bargaining for money. 'They are people with families and children and people are grieving them because they don't know if they are alive or dead. 'They are not just tools. They might have children, wives, brothers, sisters, mums and dads. 'I think he should be criticised for saying that.' Mr Cowan, 57, had moved to Israel from Glasgow. He was murdered in his home near the Gaza border in the Hamas onslaught that claimed more than 1,200 lives. Mr MacDonald has now admitted he was wrong to defend the terrorist group for holding innocent Israelis hostage. He said his words 'did not properly reflect what I intended to convey' and insisted he would never defend or justify the 'abhorrent holding of hostages' by Hamas. But Mr MacDonald, who represents Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, still stopped short of providing a full apology to the families of those held by Hamas. In a statement issued last night as he faced growing condemnation for the comments, Mr MacDonald said: 'I was trying to reflect the widely accepted view that Hamas is very regrettably using the hostages as leverage against Israel, but I accept that my choice of words did not properly reflect what I intended to convey. 'I would never defend or justify the abhorrent holding of hostages by Hamas. 'Just today, I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling on the Government to put additional pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, as well as to totally disarm and disband. 'That's an absolutely vital condition needed for securing a long-term and sustainable peace - alongside the Israeli Government reopening all aid supply routes to Gaza and ending its devastating military campaign which is creating only more suffering for Palestinians.' Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton yesterday faced growing calls to suspend the MP. Jamie Halcro Johnston, the Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, yesterday wrote to Mr Cole-Hamilton to urge him to suspend Mr MacDonald, who was elected in last year's general election for the 'abhorrent social media comments'. The Campaign Against Antisemitism also branded the remarks as 'vile moral bankruptcy' and called for him to be suspended pending a full investigation, while Sammy Stein, of the Glasgow Friends of Israel group, branded the remarks 'despicable'. In his letter, Mr Halcro Johnston said: 'Mr MacDonald's description of the hostages as 'bargaining power', and his insinuation that, if Hamas terrorists released them, Israel would 'obliterate Palestine', are not only naïve but grossly offensive to the hostages and their families. To any reasonable person, his comments are completely beyond the pale. 'Several organisations representing Scotland's Jewish community have rightly expressed their outrage at these disgusting remarks, with the Campaign Against Antisemitism describing them as dehumanising, morally bankrupt, and playing into the hands of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. They have called on you to suspend Angus MacDonald MP pending a full investigation. 'While Angus MacDonald should offer an unconditional apology for what he said, I believe that you, as Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, have a duty to condemn his horrific remarks, apologise to Scotland's Jewish community and to suspend Mr MacDonald while a full investigation is conducted by your party.' In its initial statement, the Scottish Lib Dems said he 'wasn't defending or justifying hostage taking'.


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: the mathematics of Gaza starvation, the Coalition's climate wedge, O'Callaghan's gold star
Morning everyone. Our top story suggests the Coalition's internal tensions will not end any time soon, with one MP warning the opposition will lose even more voters if it continues to backslide on policies for net zero by 2050. We have another exclusive story about the dengue outbreak on Nauru and the Productivity Commission is calling for massive tax cuts – for companies. Elsewhere, a very powerful dispatch from our chief Middle East correspondent shows how Israel has calibrated the famine in Gaza; and in swimming, Mollie O'Callaghan has equalled Ian Thorpe's gold haul. Exclusive | At least nine asylum seekers on Nauru have contracted dengue fever amid an outbreak on the island, including one man who was medically evacuated to Australia for treatment and then returned this week, according to a legal aid group and an asylum seeker there. Exclusive | One of the Liberal party's two surviving inner-metropolitan MPs has warned voters see the Coalition as not being serious about tackling climate change, prompted by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce's private member's bill to overturn net zero. Tax call | In an 'ambitious' Productivity Commission proposal aimed at boosting investment and revitalising the country's flagging productivity, the company tax rate would be slashed to 20% for all but the very biggest businesses. Spying game | Public servants and private contractors with access to sensitive national security information such as the Aukus submarine project are making it easy for spies to target their work, including by posting on sites such as LinkedIn, Australia's spy chief has warned. Ban explainer | The Albanese government is leading the world with its attempts to ban under-16s from social media sites but it still remains unclear how the ban will be enforced and which platforms will be exempt. 'Mathematics of starvation' | At least 91 people have been killed and 600 wounded while waiting for aid in Gaza over the last 24 hours, as the US envoy, Steve Witkoff, visits Israel for ceasefire discussions. In a special report, our correspondent Emma Graham Harrison examines the 'mathematics of starvation' and how Israel has caused the famine ravaging the territory. Canada's trade deal | Donald Trump has threatened Canada after it moved to recognise a Palestinian state, reacting to Mark Carney's announcement by saying that signing a US trade deal would now be 'very hard'. Follow the news live from Washington. 'Transnational repression' | A former Hong Kong politician and prominent democracy campaigner has accused British police of asking her to 'self-censor' after she was targeted by suspected 'transnational repression' from China. The case mirrors the targeting of a Melbourne-based activist in the same way. $4tn mark | Microsoft soared past US$4tn in market valuation overnight, becoming the second publicly traded company after Nvidia to surpass the milestone. 'Oldest baby' | The world's 'oldest baby' has been born in the US from an embryo that was frozen in 1994, it has been reported. Newsroom edition: when will Australia recognise Palestine? Reged Ahmad talks to deputy editor Patrick Keneally and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about the pressure pushing Australia towards Palestinian recognition. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ Traders in a pocket of suburban Melbourne long known as Little India say their livelihoods and heritage are under threat from plans to redevelop the precinct for apartments, shops and offices. The council promises that shopkeepers will be given the chance to stay in the colourful corner of Dandenong, but business owners tell Adeshola Ore they fear being priced out. 'They're selling it as a Little India,' one says. 'But they want to make it like Bourke Street.' Georgia Maq, the singer who fronted the all-female band Camp Cope until they split two years ago, is back with a new EP after moving to Los Angeles to find a 'different life for myself'. She talks to Brodie Lancaster about making the new record, her intense times in the band and the possibility of being cast in a 'chaotic and insane' film role. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Swimming | Mollie O'Callaghan (above, farthest right) has equalled Ian Thorpe's Australian record for world championship golds after anchoring the women's team to victory in the 4x200m freestyle relay in Singapore. Rugby union | Lions coach Andy Farrell has described suggestions the Wallabies are not worthy opponents for future tours as 'insulting' as he hopes to inspire his players to a series clean sweep in Sydney tomorrow night. Cricket | England had the better of a rain-interrupted first day in the fifth Test against India, with the visitors reaching 204 for six from 64 overs at the close. Queensland is not ruling out a total ban on e-bikes and e-scooters, the ABC reports. According to the Australian, the Coalition is also facing internal pressure over its messaging on Israel. North-east Arnhem land | The Garma festival's 25th anniversary kicks off today, running until Monday. Sydney | Palestine Action Group will challenge the police decision to block Harbour Bridge protest in supreme court. Queensland | A parliament estimates hearings will be held. If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Israel evacuates diplomatic staff in the UAE, Israeli media say
JERUSALEM/DUBAI, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Israel is evacuating most of its diplomatic mission staff in the United Arab Emirates, Israeli media reported late on Thursday, after Israel's National Security Council sharpened its travel warning for Israelis staying in the Gulf country. The UAE's Israeli and Jewish community has grown more visible since 2020, when the UAE became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a U.S.-brokered agreement dubbed the Abraham Accords. "We are emphasizing this travel warning given our understanding that terrorist organizations (the Iranians, Hamas, Hezbollah and Global Jihad) are increasing their efforts to harm Israel", the NSC said in a statement. The NSC warned of possible attempts to target Israeli and Jewish individuals in the UAE, especially around Jewish holidays and Shabbat. The Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There was no immediate comment from the UAE's foreign ministry. Israel is concerned about retaliatory attacks following its recent military operation against Iran and as it faces mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. In March, the UAE sentenced three people to death for the murder of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who was killed in November in the Gulf country. Such crimes are rare in the UAE, which is largely viewed as one of the safest places in the Middle East.