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New Statesman
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Gaza will radicalise a generation
Photo by AFP via Getty Images The little girl was sliced like salami. Someone was rolling the pieces along the floor, reassembling her body in a wet pile. The screams were presumably piercing but I wouldn't know because I was watching without sound – I scrolled on. Since the horror of 7 October, and Israel's retaliatory massacre in Gaza, videos of this kind have surged across Western social media platforms along the peak and trough of virality, variously censored according to content moderation policies and the free speech sensibilities of their owners. Meanwhile, in tandem, national politics and media coverage has been characterised by a sanitised euphemism. Six children evaporated by a missile: 'technical error'. The murder of three British aid workers: 'an appalling incident'. What started as a bleak state of disassociation has quickly alienated a generation from the Labour party, the political movement with which they would typically find common cause. The scope of the electoral fallout will be as significant as the Iraq or Vietnam wars. Among my peers, broadly defined as anyone politically conscious under 35, opposition to the war is close to universal. I know two Israel fans. One is part Israeli, the other is a Brit converting to orthodox Judaism. It doesn't matter that before the war most of these people thought that Rafah was a cycling brand. They're now telling you that 500 aid trucks once entered the Gaza strip every single day, and how the current blockade is a violation of Article 33 of the Geneva Convention. These conversations take place over a coffee, pint, or, in the most unexpected instance, a children's birthday party. From the Instagram story to Thursday drinks with the office, Palestine is the governing moral question of conversation. The sheer unrelenting savagery of Israel's offensive is an affront to our allegedly shared humanity. War crimes are televised. Slideshows circulating Westminster and Washington imply ethnic cleansing. If your knowledge of what during my education was called the Arab-Israeli Conflict started on 7 October it looks pretty asymmetric. It even looks simple. In the United Kingdom we have not needed to seriously consider invasion and the subjugation of our people for 80 years, not since the Nazi peril. But in that time the material destruction of the Israeli state has twice been a plausible outcome: after the Nakba in 1948 when Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq simultaneously invaded in response to Israel's declaration of independence, and briefly during the Yom Kippur war in 1973. Forgive the GCSE history lesson, but the Foreign Secretary recently felt the need to address the Commons and remind some of his fresh-faced 2024 intake MPs that the Iranian regime repeatedly and publicly asserts its desire to destroy 'the cancerous tumour' of Israel; that its leaders chant the mantra 'Death to America' like jihadist yogis. You can't take anything for granted these days. And Israel's unique and complex history means I wincingly accept its uncompromising military doctrine. Reality dictates: nie wieder flows from the barrel of a gun, otherwise it's just a prayer. Moral certainty is a dangerous thing. So is ignorance. But I am fretting about the context not provided in a 900-word column, so what does a vertical video? Too much phone is weird. A few weeks ago, a scroll of my X newsfeed started with confident racism, next I was served a kamikaze drone's camera feed as it taunted a resigned and despairing Russian soldier, his final moments sharp in 1080p, engagement and cannon fodder. Then some pornography. A WhatsApp message took my attention elsewhere. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe The extremity and density of information consumption in our time is without precedent, accelerated by the social media barons, and the tangible vibe shift of Trump's presidency. The six hours of screen time the average member of Gen Z spends online is, indeed, too much. This is part of the explanation for Gaza's saliency. Other wars dramatically impacted culture and politics but none took place in this information environment, the attention economy. Some politicians understand this, like the upstart New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Others do not, including the prime minister of the United Kingdom, whose opponents lap him around the digital circuit whether they are hard-right criminals like Tommy Robinson or leftist TikTokers. British politics is shuddering beneath Starmer at constitutional and street level. Vigilante mobs mass outside hotels housing asylum seekers, sometimes race rioting breaks out. MPs are intimidated, harassed and assassinated. Five political parties are polling between 10 and 25 per cent in a first past the post electoral system. This includes, according to one poll, the Jeremy Corbyn breakaway party, which would campaign on an explicitly pro-Gaza platform. Labour seats previously considered safe and occupied by big figures like Jonathan Ashworth have already fallen, others will too. Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper are probably the most high-profile. Jess Phillips and Stella Creasy have found new politics, but the thing about chipping away your base is it affects the entire electoral map. Downstream of electoral politics is a possibly permanent shift in attitudes towards Western foreign policy, as structural and formative as Vietnam was for our parents and grandparents. Whenever a ceasefire is agreed, whenever this war ends, and however it is judged by history, its impact on the politics of the young is already clear. [Further reading: A question of intent] Related
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rice, tea exporters to Iran bear the brunt of Iran-Israel conflict
Shipments of a significant quantity of basmati rice and tea, the two major commodities that are exported from India to Iran, are on hold because of the Iran-Israel conflict, putting exporters on wait and watch mode. Iran is the largest market for Indian basmati rice as 1.2 million tonnes of the total six million tonnes of annual exports go to Iran. 'All shipments and payments are on hold,' said Mohit Gupta, a New Delhi-based rice exporter. 'The exporters are talking to the officials and hope for a solution in a couple of days. International price for basmati rice has dropped by $100 a tonne because of the conflict and stocks are beginning to pile up with the exporters,' he said. One of the major exporters of tea said 20,000-25,000 tonnes of tea goes to Iran from India annually, mainly orthodox tea. This is the prime season in Assam for the best quality tea. However, because of the conflict, fresh exports to Iran are on hold now, while the teas at ports are likely to be shipped, depending on the buyer. 'There are withdrawals and drop in price at the auction; shipments are stopped and no one knows how the situation will develop, especially with the attacks escalating. Exporters will get the payment only after shipment. Right now, the priority in Iran is for essentials,' the exporter said. B. Rajesh Chander, member of the Tea Board India, said many of those operating to Iran did not take part in the auctions on Wednesday. 'There is fear that exports to countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan may also get affected in the future if the conflict continues,' he said. Officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will meet stakeholders from the trade, shipping, and export-oriented sectors on Friday to discuss the problems they are facing due to the Israel-Iran conflict, and how the government could help address these issues. According to sources, prior to the meeting, the Commerce Ministry sought information and feedback from exporters on the extent of impact due to the Iran-Israel tensions, how they were accommodating these factors, and their expectations. While these inputs are coming in, exporters said that air freight costs had already increased and sea freight costs too were expected to go up. The exporters are also factoring in a surge in fuel costs and risk insurance premiums. The Hindu had last week reported that potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Israel-Iran conflict would add 15-20 days to India's shipping times, and 40-50% to shipping costs.
Hamilton Spectator
28-04-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Hong Kong's business, political elite turn out for funeral of property tycoon Lee Shau-kee
HONG KONG (AP) — Prominent Hong Kong political and business leaders paid tribute Monday to the city's late billionaire property tycoon Lee Shau-kee, who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory. Lee, who died at age 97 on March 17, was once ranked as the richest man in Asia. In Forbes' February ranking, he was listed as the city's second-richest person with $29.2 billion in assets. Lee founded Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. in 1976, and his empire helped shape the Asian financial hub's skyline. The company's portfolio includes landmarks such as the International Finance Centre complex and ifc mall in Central, a vibrant commercial district. His business interests also expanded into other sectors such as hotels, utilities and ferries in the city. Nicknamed 'Uncle Four,' Lee was ranked the richest person in Asia and the world's fourth-wealthiest person by Forbes in 1996. He was Henderson Land's chairman and managing director before stepping down from the position in 2019. He was succeeded by his sons, Peter Lee and Martin Lee, the company's co-chairpersons. Like other tycoons, who rose in the city's postwar economic boom and then thrived as mainland China abandoned orthodox Marxism, Lee met with former top Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. In 2007, a decade after the end of British colonial rule, the Hong Kong government awarded him the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and community service. According to Henderson Land, committee members overseeing his funeral included Hong Kong's leading official, John Lee, former city leaders Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying , and Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong. Other business and political heavyweights were also part of the committee. On Sunday, Zheng, Lee and other former and current government officials, as well as Richard Li, the younger son of Hong Kong's richest person Li Ka-shing, and property tycoons Thomas Kwok and Raymond Kwok, paid their respects to Lee during a vigil. Buddhist rites were performed during the service on Monday. His body will be transported to his ancestral homeland in Shunde district, Guangdong province, the coastal region in southern China across from Hong Kong where Lee, like so many top Hong Kong business leaders, was born. He moved to the city in 1948, one year before the communists swept to power in mainland China, targeting land owners as they went, and became a key player in the city's real estate industry. Known as Hong Kong's 'Warren Buffett' for his investment acumen, he was also a leading philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hong Kong's business, political elite turn out for funeral of property Lee Shau-kee
HONG KONG (AP) — Prominent Hong Kong political and business leaders paid tribute Monday to the city's late billionaire property tycoon Lee Shau-kee, who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory. Lee, who died at age 97 on March 17, was once ranked as the richest man in Asia. In Forbes' February ranking, he was listed as the city's second-richest person with $29.2 billion in assets. Lee founded Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. in 1976, and his empire helped shape the Asian financial hub's skyline. The company's portfolio includes landmarks such as the International Finance Centre complex and ifc mall in Central, a vibrant commercial district. His business interests also expanded into other sectors such as hotels, utilities and ferries in the city. Nicknamed 'Uncle Four," Lee was ranked the richest person in Asia and the world's fourth-wealthiest person by Forbes in 1996. He was Henderson Land's chairman and managing director before stepping down from the position in 2019. He was succeeded by his sons, Peter Lee and Martin Lee, the company's co-chairpersons. Like other tycoons, who rose in the city's postwar economic boom and then thrived as mainland China abandoned orthodox Marxism, Lee met with former top Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. In 2007, a decade after the end of British colonial rule, the Hong Kong government awarded him the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and community service. According to Henderson Land, committee members overseeing his funeral included Hong Kong's leading official, John Lee, former city leaders Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong. Other business and political heavyweights were also part of the committee. On Sunday, Zheng, Lee and other former and current government officials, as well as Richard Li, the younger son of Hong Kong's richest person Li Ka-shing, and property tycoons Thomas Kwok and Raymond Kwok, paid their respects to Lee during a vigil. Buddhist rites were performed during the service on Monday. His body will be transported to his ancestral homeland in Shunde district, Guangdong province, the coastal region in southern China across from Hong Kong where Lee, like so many top Hong Kong business leaders, was born. He moved to the city in 1948, one year before the communists swept to power in mainland China, targeting land owners as they went, and became a key player in the city's real estate industry. Known as Hong Kong's 'Warren Buffett' for his investment acumen, he was also a leading philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hong Kong's business, political elite turn out for funeral of property Lee Shau-kee
HONG KONG (AP) — Prominent Hong Kong political and business leaders paid tribute Monday to the city's late billionaire property tycoon Lee Shau-kee, who led one of the biggest real estate empires in the former British territory. Lee, who died at age 97 on March 17, was once ranked as the richest man in Asia. In Forbes' February ranking, he was listed as the city's second-richest person with $29.2 billion in assets. Lee founded Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. in 1976, and his empire helped shape the Asian financial hub's skyline. The company's portfolio includes landmarks such as the International Finance Centre complex and ifc mall in Central, a vibrant commercial district. His business interests also expanded into other sectors such as hotels, utilities and ferries in the city. Nicknamed 'Uncle Four,' Lee was ranked the richest person in Asia and the world's fourth-wealthiest person by Forbes in 1996. He was Henderson Land's chairman and managing director before stepping down from the position in 2019. He was succeeded by his sons, Peter Lee and Martin Lee, the company's co-chairpersons. Like other tycoons, who rose in the city's postwar economic boom and then thrived as mainland China abandoned orthodox Marxism, Lee met with former top Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin. In 2007, a decade after the end of British colonial rule, the Hong Kong government awarded him the Grand Bauhinia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education and community service. According to Henderson Land, committee members overseeing his funeral included Hong Kong's leading official, John Lee, former city leaders Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong. Other business and political heavyweights were also part of the committee. On Sunday, Zheng, Lee and other former and current government officials, as well as Richard Li, the younger son of Hong Kong's richest person Li Ka-shing, and property tycoons Thomas Kwok and Raymond Kwok, paid their respects to Lee during a vigil. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. Buddhist rites were performed during the service on Monday. His body will be transported to his ancestral homeland in Shunde district, Guangdong province, the coastal region in southern China across from Hong Kong where Lee, like so many top Hong Kong business leaders, was born. He moved to the city in 1948, one year before the communists swept to power in mainland China, targeting land owners as they went, and became a key player in the city's real estate industry. Known as Hong Kong's 'Warren Buffett' for his investment acumen, he was also a leading philanthropist who contributed significantly to the development of both Hong Kong and mainland China.
