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China summons US ambassador over Hong Kong rights bill

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5 years ago

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China has summoned the US ambassador to demand that the United States scrap legislation backing Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, or “bear all the consequences”, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.
The Hong Kong bill awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature supports human rights and democracy in the city, while threatening to revoke the territory’s special economic status.
A separate measure bans the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets and other equipment used by the security forces to suppress pro-democracy protests.
Vice foreign minister Zheng Zeguang summoned US ambassador Terry Branstad on Monday to voice a “strong protest” over the bill, the ministry said in a statement.
The legislation “brazenly interferes in China’s internal affairs” and “indulges and supports the violent criminal behaviour by ‘anti-China disrupting Hong Kong’ forces,” the ministry said.
Trump has not indicated whether he will sign the legislation into law, saying last week that while he stood with Hong Kong, he also stood with his “friend”, President Xi Jinping.
The foreign ministry urged the US to “immediately correct its mistakes, prevent the above-mentioned Hong Kong-related bill from becoming law, and stop any words and deeds that interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.”
“Otherwise, the US side must bear all the consequences,” it said.
A US embassy spokesman told AFP that Branstad told Zheng that the United States was watching the situation in Hong Kong “with grave concern”.
“He conveyed that we condemn all forms of violence and intimidation,” the spokesman said.
“The ambassador added that the United States believes that societies are best served when diverse political views can be represented in genuinely free and fair elections.”
– AFP

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International

Macron calls for arms embargo on Israel, drawing sharp criticism from Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to halt arms deliveries to Israel has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron emphasised the need for a political solution to the Gaza conflict, while Netanyahu labelled the suggestion of an arms embargo a “disgrace.”

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41 mins ago

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7 October 2024

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French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for halting arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza has sparked strong backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Macron made the remarks during an interview with France Inter radio, aired on Saturday (5 Oct), expressing his concern over continued hostilities despite ceasefire calls. He urged the cessation of weapons deliveries, calling for a return to political solutions.

Netanyahu, in response, swiftly condemned Macron’s remarks in a video released by his office, labelling the call for an arms embargo a “disgrace.” He said that Israel would continue its efforts with or without international support, adding, “Shame on them,” referring to Macron and other Western leaders who have called for restricting arms sales to Israel.

Macron’s comments were made in the context of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The French president expressed his opposition to Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon, emphasising that avoiding escalation was critical, and that Lebanon “cannot become a new Gaza.” Despite his criticism, Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself but warned that the conflict could fuel hatred and instability in the region.

On Sunday (6 Oct), Macron and Netanyahu had a phone conversation, during which Macron reiterated France’s “unwavering commitment” to Israel’s security.

However, Macron maintained his stance against arms deliveries being used in Gaza, noting that France had not supplied any weapons to Israel. He described the ongoing conflict as a mistake that risks undermining Israel’s long-term security.

Netanyahu, for his part, argued that the fight against Hezbollah and its Iranian backers was essential for regional stability.

In his statement following the call, Netanyahu said that all “civilised countries” should stand with Israel as it battles the forces of “barbarism” led by Iran. He added that any country not standing with Israel was supporting Iran and its proxies, which he described as the “axis of evil.”

Macron’s comments have generated significant diplomatic friction between the two leaders. Macron expressed regret over Israel’s decision to launch ground operations in Lebanon, pointing to joint calls by both the US and France for a ceasefire in the region. He noted that the responsibility for military action lay with Netanyahu.

Despite the tense exchange, Macron continues to frame France as a close ally of Israel. His office released a statement describing Netanyahu’s response as “excessive and detached” from the friendship between the two nations. Macron’s government maintains its position of support for Israel’s right to self-defence while advocating for a political solution to the conflict.

The conversation between Macron and Netanyahu comes just ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in a complex tragedy.

Approximately 1,200 people were killed, including many who lost their lives as Israeli military forces carried out the controversial Hannibal Directive. This directive, designed to prevent the capture of Israeli soldiers by authorising extreme measures to thwart kidnappings, was widely reported and documented by international media.

Since that day, Israel’s military response has intensified in Gaza, and its airstrikes have caused significant casualties. Many Israel hostages are believed to have been since killed in the crossfire, as Israeli forces reportedly employed heavy shelling and airstrikes in areas where hostages were held and even shot as they fled from their captives.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that more than 41,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, including civilians trapped in densely populated areas.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have also been rising, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) engaging Hezbollah militants in the border region. Both sides have sustained casualties, and the fear of a broader conflict looms.

Macron’s concerns over a second front in Lebanon have led to his calls for restraint and political dialogue.

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International

Iran fires 180 missiles at Israel in response to escalating tensions

Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), claiming it was retaliation for Israeli airstrikes and assassinations of key figures in Gaza, Lebanon, and Tehran. Most missiles were intercepted, but Israel vowed retaliation. The United States condemned the attack as a “significant escalation,” heightening concerns of a broader conflict.

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5 days ago

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2 October 2024

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Iran launched a large-scale missile attack against Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), escalating tensions in the already volatile region.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), around 180 projectiles were fired at Israel, prompting a coordinated missile defence effort with the United States.

Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that the nation’s air defences successfully intercepted the majority of the Iranian missiles.

However, some projectiles reached central and southern Israel, causing minor injuries to two civilians.

In the West Bank, Palestinian officials reported the death of a Palestinian man near Jericho after being struck by a missile, though it remains unclear which side was responsible for that particular strike.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the strike, stating that it targeted “vital military and security installations.”

Iran claimed that Tuesday’s missile strikes were in retaliation for the recent deaths of key figures from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian military.

It specifically referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan, both of whom were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut.

The operation also cited the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July.

In response to the missile strikes, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a “big mistake” and would face severe consequences for the attack.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight—and it will pay for it,” Netanyahu said.

“The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and retaliate against our enemies.”

His remarks strongly signaled that Israeli retaliation was imminent, increasing concerns about a potential spiral into a broader regional war.

Iran defended its actions, with President Masoud Pezeshkian posting on social media that the missile strikes were a defensive response to Israeli provocations.

“Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not a belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat. This is only a corner of our power,” Pezeshkian stated, warning Israel not to enter into further conflict with Iran.

On the international front, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan characterized Iran’s attack as a significant escalation, but noted that it had been effectively neutralized by Israel’s missile defense systems.

“At this point this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” Sullivan remarked, though he acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.

US President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ support for Israel, but stressed that his administration was in close consultation with Israeli officials to determine an appropriate response.

“We’re going to get all the data straight,” Biden said.

“We’re in constant contact with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that remains to be seen.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement on Wednesday (2 Oct) defending its missile operation as a “legal, rational, and legitimate response” to Israel’s actions.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the mission warned that any retaliatory actions by Israel would trigger a more severe Iranian response.

“Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue,” the mission stated.

The message also advised other regional actors and supporters of Israel to distance themselves from the Israeli government.

Military bases in Tel Aviv, targeted in the strike, have sustained structural damage, according to the IRGC. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Videos on X (formerly Twitter) show missiles intercepted and hitting ground targets, contrary to Israel’s claim of no damage done.

International reactions have also begun to emerge. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the continued escalation, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres stated, “This broadening of the Middle East conflict must stop.”

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