Israel defends itself against accusations of genocide
Security warning as crisis in Middle East escalates
AS the Middle East is plunged into yet another crisis, Rishi Sunak was last night warned his Red Sea gamble risks sparking terrorist revenge.
The British PM ordered warplanes to join US airstrikes on war-ravaged Yemen on Thursday night in response to rebel attacks on western commercial shipping.
Mr Sunak insisted the mission was “necessary, proportionate” action against military targets to “disrupt Houthi capability”.
But the Iran-backed militants yesterday warned they would avenge the airstrikes, which they claim killed at least five people, in the region. And there are fears British extremists could also launch lone-wolf attacks here.
A security insider said: “I expect the threat level of terrorism in the to increase.
“This will have been something taken into consideration.”
A western intelligence expert added: “I believe the terror threat will increase because of the twisted anti-western narrative.
“Britain as a kind of deputy to America is high in the sights of jihadists and the expanding Middle East conflict is making us a greater target, even though our actions were justified.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan warned Britain and the US is “trying to turn the Red Sea into a sea of blood” with its strikes.
He added: “Houthis will give the necessary response in the region to the United States and Britain.”
The rebels are attacking western ships in a bid to force Israel to stop its bombardment of Gaza.
They had initially threatened vessels going to and from Israel but now target any craft.
There are fears Jewish sites in the region could be attacked by terrorists after Thursday’s strikes. Mr Sunak ordered UK warplanes to join the US strikes without consulting MPS.
But he played down concerns and said he chaired a COBRA and Cabinet meetings while also briefing Keir Starmer and Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey.
Labour leader Mr Starmer said he is “fully supportive” of the action. But he added: “I want the Prime Minister to make a statement as soon as possible.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey insisted his party was “minded” to support the action, but believed in the “principle” of parliamentary consultation.
Mr Sunak was on a surprise visit to Ukraine yesterday where he
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ISRAEL has defended itself at the United Nations’ highest court against allegations of committing genocide against Palestinians
Facing the accusation yesterday, Israel said its war in Gaza was a legitimate defence of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide.
Israel described the allegations levelled by South Africa as hypocritical met President
Zelensky.
The PM, who also pledged €3billion of support to Kyiv for the war against Russia, said Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea has put lives at risk, disrupted the global economy and destabilised the region.
He added: “It’s clear that type of behaviour can’t carry on.
“We won’t hesitate to protect lives and ensure the safety of commercial shipping.
“We need to send a strong signal that this breach of international law is wrong. That’s why with allies we decided to take this action.”
Four British warplanes hit 60
Volodymyr
Houthi military targets, including air defences, after taking off from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
UK Typhoon fighter bombers fired Paveway missiles as US F-18s led the attack.
Coalition submarines and warships launched cruise missiles.
Despite the airstrikes, another ship was last night attacked, 90 miles of the coast of Aden.
The missile fell short and no one was hurt.
The US Navy warned Americanflagged vessels to stay out of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for the next 72 hours. and said one of the biggest cases ever to come before an international court reflected a world turned upside down.
Israeli leaders defend their air and ground offensive in Gaza as a legitimate response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.
The country’s legal advisor Tal Becker told a packed auditorium at the
Tal Becker ornate Palace of Peace in The Hague that the country is fighting a “war it did not start and did not want”.
“In these circumstances, there can hardly be a charge more false and more malevolent than the allegation against Israel of genocide,” he added, noting that the horrible suffering of civilians in war was not enough to level that charge. He dismissed the accusations as crude and attentionseeking.
South African lawyers had asked the court to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in the besieged coastal territory that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.
A decision on that request will probably take weeks, and the full case is likely to last years – and it’s unclear if
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Israel would follow any court orders. Yesterday, Israel focused on the brutality of the October 7 attacks, presenting chilling video and audio to a hushed audience.
Becker said:“they tortured children in front of parents and parents in front of children, burned people, including infants alive, and systematically raped and mutilated scores of women, men and children.”