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The US must recognize Palestine as a state. It’s time to look to the future, not the past | Jodi Rudoren
Only once Israel and Palestine recognize each other’s right to exist can they start thinking about what comes next
Israel reacted with predictable outrage to the move last week by three European countries to formally recognize the state of Palestine. The foreign minister accused Ireland, Norway and Spain of “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews”, recalled Israel’s ambassadors from Dublin, Oslo and Madrid, and reprimanded their representatives in Tel Aviv.
Yet only a decade ago, Israel itself was insisting on recognition – from the Palestinians.
Continue reading...Tanks reach centre of Rafah as attacks mount and Israel’s isolation grows
Three countries recognise Palestinian state and UN calls emergency meeting amid international horror at Israel’s offensive
Tanks reached the middle of Rafah on Tuesday as Israel’s global isolation deepened, with three European countries formally recognising a Palestinian state and the UN security council calling an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Overnight Israeli forces again attacked the Tel al-Sultan area, where at least 45 people were killed on Sunday by an airstrike and huge fire in an area crowded with refugee tents.
Continue reading...Norway sued over deep-sea mining plans
WWF says the government has breached the law ‘without adequately assessing the consequences’
One of the world’s biggest environmental groups is suing the Norwegian government for opening up its seabed for deep-sea mining, claiming that Norway has failed to properly investigate the consequences of this move.
WWF-Norway says the government’s decision has breached Norwegian law, goes against the counsel of its own advisers, and sets a “dangerous precedent”.
Continue reading...US ‘concerned’ by Israel’s isolation, Biden national security adviser says
Jake Sullivan appears critical of decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway to formally recognise Palestinian state next week
The US is concerned about Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation among countries that have traditionally supported it, Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Wednesday.
Sullivan’s remarks, at a White House briefing, followed the announcement by Ireland, Spain and Norway that they will next week formally recognise a Palestinian state. They also came amid efforts by the Biden administration and Congress to coordinate a response to a decision by the international criminal court (ICC) to seek an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over Israeli actions in Gaza.
Continue reading...How significant is Spain, Norway and Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian state?
Recognitions point to erosion of US ‘ownership’ of Israel-Palestine peace process and open route towards statehood
Continue reading...Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognise Palestinian state
Irish PM declares ‘unequivocal support’ for two-state solution, as Israel recalls ambassadors from Dublin, Madrid and Oslo
Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced they will formally recognise a Palestinian state on 28 May, triggering an immediate response from Israel, which said it would retaliate by recalling its ambassadors from Dublin, Madrid and Oslo, and withholding vital funds from the Palestinian Authority.
The three European governments made the long-awaited announcements in coordinated moves on Wednesday morning that they said were intended to support a two-state solution and foster peace in the Middle East.
Continue reading...The Gullspång Miracle review – a staggering film about love, faith and secret sisters
Maria Fredriksson’s unflinching documentary about Norwegian siblings who spy a painting of the spit of their dead sister then realise it’s actually her long lost twin navigates secrets, suicide and even Nazis. The revelations just keep coming
Kari and May, devout Christian sisters from Norway, had witnessed a miracle. Would the director Maria Fredriksson like to make a film about their wonderful story? She would and she did – then continued recording as the story began to twist and fracture in ways no one could have foreseen. The result is a deeply intimate film about love, sorrow, the power of faith and the dangers of secrets.
The Gullspång Miracle begins with Fredriksson teaching the sisters how to speak naturally for the camera – an early indication that she will not be an anonymous director, but a shaper of this story. They are in the kitchen where they first saw the painting that set off an extraordinary series of events. The sisters begin recounting the story.
Continue reading...British Land sells stake in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre for £360m
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund to take full control of the largest shopping centre in Yorkshire
The property developer British Land has sold its 50% stake in the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield to Norway’s sovereign wealth fund in a £360m deal, ending its holding in the site after 25 years.
Norges Bank Investment Management will take full control of the shopping centre, the largest in Yorkshire. It already owned 50%, having first invested in 2012.
Continue reading...Billie Eilish, dogs and lift-off: photos of the day – Friday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
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