Dutch summon Israeli ambassador, impose travel ban on ministers
Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will no longer be allowed to enter the Netherlands, which accuses them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians and calling for an 'ethnic cleansing' of the Gaza strip.
The Dutch decision follows similar moves last month by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway.
The government said it supported the EU's recommendation to curb Israeli access to its flagship research funding programme and said it would press for European trade sanctions if Israel was found to be in breach of its agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Sweden Urges EU To Freeze Trade Deal With Israel, Increase Economic Pressure
Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas ISTANBUL, July 31 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called on the European Union (EU) on Thursday to freeze the trade component of its association agreement with Israel and increase economic pressure, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Sweden demands the EU, as soon as possible, freeze the trade component of the association agreement and increase economic pressure on Israel, Kristersson wrote on X, pointing to the "utterly deplorable" situation in Gaza. He urged the Israeli government to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza. bootstrap slideshow "Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid," Kristersson noted. He also called for the "immediate" and "unconditional" release of all hostages. Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct 7, 2023, killing more than 60,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages. On Monday, Israeli rights groups B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory's healthcare system. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Over 30,000 expected to rally for Palestine in KL on Aug 9
Humanity for Gaza chairman Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz (fifth from left) with Malaysia Bangkit 4 Gaza director Apandi Mohamad (sixth from left). KUALA LUMPUR : A mass rally to show support for the Palestinian cause will be held at Dataran Merdeka here on Aug 9, with organisers expecting more than 30,000 people to attend. The Himpunan Perdana Nasional: Malaysia Bangkit untuk Gaza rally is organised by the group Humanity for Gaza, backed by leaders from various political parties. Malaysia Bangkit 4 Gaza director, Apandi Mohamad, said participants would begin gathering from 4pm at key locations like Pasar Seni, Masjid Negara, and Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad before marching to Dataran Merdeka. They aim to bring together Malaysians from all backgrounds and political affiliations against Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. Humanity for Gaza chairman Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said they hoped to show unity across racial, religious and political lines in condemning the actions of the Zionist regime. 'Malaysians must stand together for justice and peace. This is not just a Palestinian issue, it is a human issue,' he said at a press conference here, joined by former Batu MP Tian Chua, among others. Malaysia has long expressed strong support for Palestine, with multiple rallies attended by thousands held over the past two years to protest Israel's actions in Gaza. In a video posted last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged world leaders to act with urgency to push for a halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza. Anwar also appealed to US president Donald Trump to use his influence to pressure Israel into halting its attacks on Gaza and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Ukraine parliament passes new anti-corruption bill amid EU reforms
KYIV: Ukraine's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of a new anti-corruption bill, replacing a contentious law that had sparked mass protests. The legislation, pre-approved by anti-graft bodies, introduces measures such as regular lie detector tests for officials. European allies had expressed concerns that the previous law could weaken Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms, crucial for its EU membership bid. However, they supported the revised amendments. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, hailed the decision, stating, 'Everyone is a winner, but first and foremost, democratic Ukraine is the winner.' Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised that the new law 'removes the risk of interference in the work of anti-corruption bodies and strengthens the entire law enforcement system.' She added, 'This is a clear response to the expectations of society and our European partners.' Demonstrators gathered near parliament and the presidential palace ahead of the vote, urging lawmakers to support the bill. President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to sign it swiftly. The earlier law had placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the prosecutor general's authority, raising fears of presidential interference in corruption cases. – AFP
