Archiv: Außenpolitik / foreign policy


10.09.2024 - 20:10 [ U.S. State Department ]

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Joint Press Availability

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Foreign Secretary. Secretary Blinken, could I ask you about a couple of aspects on the Middle East? The Israel Defense Forces just a moment ago released an investigation, or released a preliminary – some preliminary findings to the death of an American citizen, Ms. Aysenur Eygi. Could you say – they said that she was killed most likely by Israeli fire, but unintentionally. Are you confident of that assessment? Does the United States want to see anything further? Are you confident with the assessment that this was unintentional, and what more do you want Israel to do? Could there be repercussions?

For both of you, could I ask you about the International Criminal Court? The – it seems that in the coming days there could be a formal decision on whether to seek an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, among others. Mr. Foreign Secretary, the Labor government, of course, has taken a slightly different stance from your predecessors, from the Conservatives, on this. Could you say what your position is, whether you support going ahead? And is there unity between the two allies on this? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Shaun, thank you very much. With regard to the tragic killing of Aysenur, I think what we saw of this investigation is it seems to show what eyewitnesses have said and made clear: that her killing was both unprovoked and unjustified. No one – no one – should be shot and killed for attending a protest. No one should have to put their life at risk just for freely expressing their views.

In our judgment, Israeli security forces need to make some fundamental changes in the way that they operate in the West Bank, including changes to their rules of engagement. We’ve long seen reports of the security forces looking the other way when extremist settlers use violence against Palestinians. We’ve seen reports of excessive force by Israeli security forces against Palestinians. And now we have the second American citizen killed at the hands of Israeli security forces. It’s not acceptable. It has to change. And we’ll be making that clear to the senior-most members of the Israeli Government.

Now, we’re looking carefully at the results of this investigation, but even on an initial read and even accepting it at face value, it’s clear that there are serious issues that need to be dealt with. And we will insist that they be dealt with.

FOREIGN SECRETARY LAMMY: I think the important thing to stress in great democracies such as ours is our belief in the separation of powers. There is an important forum for lawyers and the judiciary and our courts, and then there is also an important forum for politicians and those who represent the people.

We’ve always been clear in the UK in our belief in the international rule of law, the rules-based order, and in IHL issues which are fundamentally important. And we took a decision last week in relation to arms exports that were quasi-legal on the basis of our law as they stand. We believe in international law, we believe in the Statute of Rome, but these must be decisions for the international courts to determine. I don’t want to comment on the assessment that they will reach. I’m qualified as a lawyer in part because of the great Harvard Law School. But I’m going to leave it to the lawyers to determine these very complex matters.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

FOREIGN SECRETARY LAMMY: Thanks a lot.

01.05.2024 - 19:11 [ Middle East Eye ]

America‘s new generation of student protesters is giving hope to Palestinians

We raise our hats out of respect for them, as these protests in the universities and streets of the western world and the Global South keep the flame of hope burning in the souls of our people who long for freedom and justice.

These protests indicate profound, radical changes that separate an ageing American generation that blindly supports Israel and a new generation that promotes justice in Palestine and demands an end to the Israeli occupation and to the war on Gaza.

They represent the future of America and its bright face, the emergence of which we have long awaited.

31.01.2024 - 16:10 [ New York Times ]

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Signals Willingness to Recognize Palestinian State Sooner

Mr. Cameron, speaking to the Conservative Middle East Council, an organization that promotes discussion about the region among the Conservative Party, said on Monday that showing progress toward a two-state solution was essential to negotiating peace, and called Israel’s security policies of the last three decades “a failure.”

The British government has long held the position that it would only recognize a Palestinian state at the “right time” in the peace process with Israel, and Mr. Cameron’s comments, in London, suggested that Britain may be aiming to do that sooner.

31.01.2024 - 16:02 [ CBS News ]

U.K. mulls recognizing a Palestinian state to advance two-state solution, defuse Israel-Hamas war

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the U.K. has joined others — not, however, the U.S. — in calling for an immediate pause in the fighting, as well as the release of all hostages being held in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory.

But „most important of all,“ Cameron told the Arab ambassadors, „is to give the Palestinian people a political horizon.“

Cameron, a former U.K. prime minister, said it was essential to demonstrate to Palestinians and the wider region that „there is going to be irreversible progress to a two-state solution and, crucially, the establishment of a Palestinian state.“

30.01.2024 - 14:10 [ Sam Sokol / Twitter ]

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron says that the UK would consider recognizing a Palestinian state in order to bring about an “irreversible” peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

30.01.2024 - 14:00 [ Politico.eu ]

UK considering recognizing Palestinian state, says David Cameron

The U.K. is considering a push to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, as he tries to sell a plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

The former prime minister — drafted into the foreign affairs brief by his boss Rishi Sunak last year — said the move could bring about “irreversible progress to a two-state solution.”

24.12.2023 - 11:34 [ Reuters ]

Yemen‘s warring parties commit to ceasefire steps, U.N. special envoy says

(December 23, 2023 7:03 PM)

Houthi officials in September visited Riyadh for the first time since the war broke out. That followed a first round of Omani-mediated consultations between Riyadh and Sanaa, running in parallel to U.N. peace efforts, when Saudi envoys visited Sanaa in April.

The peace initiatives gained momentum after arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to re-establish ties in a deal brokered by China. A permanent ceasefire in Yemen would mark a milestone in stabilising the Middle East.

14.12.2023 - 18:24 [ Wall Street Journal ]

U.S. Blocks Shipment of Rifles to Israel Over Concerns of West Bank Settler Violence

The Biden administration is holding back a shipment of more than 27,000 U.S.-made rifles intended for Israel’s national police over concerns they could end up transferred to extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, U.S. officials said.

14.12.2023 - 17:52 [ Politico.eu ]

UK’s David Cameron slaps travel bans on ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers

The U.K. is banning violent Israeli settlers from entering the country, Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced Thursday, in a bid to “make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts.”

In a post on social media, Cameron — the former British prime minister reappointed to the Cabinet last month — said “extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

14.12.2023 - 17:18 [ David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs / Twitter ]

Extremist settlers, by targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians. Israel must take stronger action to stop settler violence and hold the perpetrators accountable. We are banning those responsible for settler violence from entering the UK to make sure our country cannot be a home for people who commit these intimidating acts.

29.11.2023 - 17:35 [ South China Morning Post ]

‘China’s position is clear’: Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes for one UN voice on Gaza ceasefire

The Security Council should reach another consensus, Wang told his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in a separate meeting, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry.

“We should seek a new consensus in the council to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, the release of detainees and a return to the two-state solution, which is the fundamental solution to the Palestine problem,” Wang said. (…)

Wang said Wednesday’s high-level meeting comes at a crucial time, being the last day of a temporary ceasefire. It will aim to push the council to reach a consensus on a ceasefire,…

28.11.2023 - 08:32 [ Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 / Twitter ]

China sends a very important message on de-escalating ??#Israel??#Palestine #Gaza conflicts. ??China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi to go #NewYork to host a high-level?? @UN Security Council meeting on Israel-Palestine issue on Nov.29.

(27.11.2023)

11.11.2023 - 10:36 [ CNN ]

Biden administration privately warned by American diplomats of growing fury against US in Arab world

(10.11.2023)

“We are losing badly on the messaging battlespace,” reads a Wednesday cable from the US Embassy in Oman, citing conversations with “a wide range of trusted and sober-minded contacts.”

The robust US support for Israel’s actions is being seen, the cable warns, “as material and moral culpability in what they consider to be possible war crimes.”

The cable from the embassy was written by the second-highest US official in Muscat and sent to, among others, the White House’s National Security Council, the CIA and the FBI.

11.11.2023 - 09:00 [ Fox News ]

Mike Pompeo says State Dept has an ‚AOC, Rashida Tlaib wing‘ after leaked memo blasts Biden‘s Israel policy

(November 7, 2023)

MIKE POMPEO: I wish I could tell you I‘m surprised, but having led that organization, the State Department, this is the AOC, Rashida Tlaib wing of the State Department. These are classic appeasers who don‘t understand that the Israelis are acting in self-defense. They are taking out a terror threat that killed 1,400 of their citizens. They have not only the right to do it, but an obligation to do it.

11.11.2023 - 08:39 [ Truthout.org/ ]

Dissenting Memo From State Dept Criticizes Biden Response to Israel’s Attacks

(November 7, 2023)

It’s unclear how many staffers in the department signed on to the memo, or whether it has been altered or amended since it was leaked, Politico reported. Dissenting memos are not uncommon — indeed, the department encourages such commentaries, and has a Dissent Channel set up for them — but it’s unusual for dissenting memos to be released publicly. Other dissenting memos relating to Israel’s recent actions are reportedly being discussed within the department.

10.11.2023 - 19:55 [ Auswärtiges Amt / Foreign Ministry of Germany ]

Using all channels of communication: Foreign Minister Baerbock sets off once again for the Middle East

Following her talks in the Gulf states, Foreign Minister Baerbock will travel on to Israel. This will be the Minister’s third visit to Israel since the armed attack by Hamas on 7 October. She will meet her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen once more and will again assure him of Germany’s solidarity.

07.11.2023 - 06:12 [ CNN ]

Fears of another Palestinian exodus reverberate across the Middle East

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said last week that a transfer of Palestinians from Gaza would likely be followed by a similar “expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank to Jordan.” Jordan’s foreign minister later said such a move would be considered a declaration of “war.”

Commentators on Arab media outlets have warned that Israel may be planning to de-populate the Gaza Strip of Palestinians and even re-occupy it.

28.10.2023 - 18:10 [ Nachdenkseiten ]

Die Meinungsmache gegen Wagenknecht und Gefährten ist eröffnet

Kurzer Einschub, weil die Außenpolitik eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird und Vorwürfe des Ausverkaufs an China oder Russland wahrscheinlich zunehmen werden: Die Vorstellung, Deutschland könne auch als Brücke zwischen den Blöcken der kommenden multipolaren Weltordnung fungieren, wird in diesen Argumentationen oft gar nicht zugelassen. Ebenso die Feststellung, dass selbstverständlich kein naives oder romantisches Verhältnis zu Russland angestrebt werden sollte, sondern ein vernünftiger und sachlicher Umgang zum beiderseitigen Nutzen. Nicht zuletzt fällt oft unter den Tisch, dass ohne eine Verständigung mit Russland eine friedliche Ordnung in Europa gar nicht vorstellbar ist. Eine solche Verständigung mit Russland muss nicht die Verdammung der oder eine Abkopplung von den USA bedeuten.

23.10.2023 - 14:34 [ Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht ]

Mehr Zusammenarbeit, Souveränität und Frieden: Für ein neues Selbstverständnis in der Außenpolitik

Eine Militärallianz, deren Führungsmacht in den zurückliegenden Jahren fünf Länder völkerrechtswidrig überfallen und in diesen Kriegen mehr als 1 Million Menschen getötet hat, schürt Bedrohungsgefühle und Abwehrreaktionen und trägt so zu globaler Instabilität bei. Statt eines Machtinstruments für geopolitische Ziele brauchen wir ein defensiv ausgerichtetes Verteidigungsbündnis, das die Grundsätze der UN-Charta achtet, Abrüstung anstrebt, statt zu Aufrüstung zu verpflichten, und in dem sich die Mitglieder auf Augenhöhe begegnen. Europa benötigt eine stabile Sicherheitsarchitektur, die längerfristig auch Russland einschließen sollte.

Unser Land verdient eine selbstbewusste Politik, die das Wohlergehen seiner Bürger in den Mittelpunkt stellt und von der Einsicht getragen ist, dass US-amerikanische Interessen sich von unseren Interessen teilweise erheblich unterscheiden. Unser Ziel ist ein eigenständiges Europa souveräner Demokratien in einer multipolaren Welt und keine neue Blockkonfrontation, in der Europa zwischen den USA und dem sich immer selbstbewusster formierenden neuen Machtblock um China und Russland zerrieben wird.

19.10.2023 - 21:02 [ Glenn Greenwald ]

Gaza’s Devastating Humanitarian Crisis Worsens. The US & Israel Revive War on Terror Framework: Dissenters Labeled “Pro-Hamas.” And Is the US Establishment pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?

Not everything the United States government did in the name of waging war on the terrorists or destroying the perpetrators of those attacks turned out to be wise, justified, or even moral. To the contrary: so many actions undertaken by the U.S. government in the months and years following the 9/11 attack were self-destructive and shameful. That is the reason that the neocons who dominated the Bush-Cheney administration and George Bush and Dick Cheney themselves ended up discredited and in disgrace, at least until they magically rehabilitated themselves by denouncing Donald Trump, which absolves all sins. But the reason they were discredited and in disgrace is not because people reconsidered whether the 9/11 attack was morally unjustified. Americans still overwhelmingly believe that it was. The shame and horror from that era are, instead, due to the fact that so much of what the US did in the name of „fighting terror“ had the opposite effect: either by inflaming it, turning the world against the U.S. and engaging in actions that destroyed the moral credibility of our government.

19.09.2023 - 21:22 [ BBC ]

Five Americans freed in Iran prisoner swap land in US

The five Iranians released as part of the deal were mostly imprisoned in the US on charges that they violated US sanctions.

In a statement on Monday, US President Joe Biden welcomed the prisoner swap and said that the Americans would be reunited with their loved one „after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering“.

19.09.2023 - 21:18 [ associated press ]

Five Americans detained in Iran walk free, released in deal for frozen Iranian assets

Five Americans detained for years in Iran walked off a plane and into freedom Monday, most arm-in-arm, as part of a politically risky deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets owed by a third country, South Korea.

13.09.2023 - 18:10 [ Jerusalem Post ]

On This Day: Israel, Palestinians sign Oslo I Accord 30 years ago

The agreement was signed by then-Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)‘s Mahmoud Abbas and then US secretary of state Warren Christopher, and was later followed up with a public signing ceremony in September.

The accord was the result of secret negotiations facilitated by then-US president Bill Clinton, and later followed up in 1995 by the Oslo II Accord.

27.07.2023 - 12:12 [ Nqachdenkseiten ]

Zahlungen an Journalisten in der Ära Merkel – Ampel-Regierung mauert auch hier

Zwischen März und Juni 2023 war bekannt geworden, dass die Bundesregierung in den letzten fünf Jahren rund 2,3 Millionen Euro an circa 200 Journalisten, mehrheitlich bei ARD und ZDF beschäftigt, für diverse Aufträge gezahlt hatte. Den NachDenkSeiten liegen jetzt die Antworten der Bundesregierung auf eine weitere Anfrage vor, in welcher die Offenlegung der Zahlungen an ausgewählte Journalisten in der Zeit von 2013 bis 2017 eingefordert wurde. Die Antworten gleichen einem Déjà-vu. Zahlungen des BND an Journalisten werden eingeräumt, aber als „Verschlusssache“ (VS), ein Großteil der Zahlungen anderer Ministerien sogar einen Geheimhaltungsgrad höher als „VS – Vertraulich“ eingestuft. Das Auswärtige Amt liefert gar keine Zahlen und Namen. Besonders fragwürdig sind die Zahlungen des Bundespresseamtes.

14.07.2023 - 08:28 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu‘s Ministers Are Lashing Out Against Biden. This Isn‘t the First Time

After New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote that a „reassessment“ of U.S.-Israel relations is inevitable and „a necessity before [Israel] truly does go off the rails,“ in light of the judicial overhaul on Wednesday, Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu joined the chorus of detractors on Wednesday.

Eliyahu told the Ynet news site that he believed Biden was being „fed by the radical left in the United States.”

14.07.2023 - 08:15 [ Haaretz ]

Biden Isn’t Reversing Trump’s Major Settlement Move – Yet

(Jun 27, 2023)

The Biden administration took its most decisive action against Israel’s settlement enterprise this month, telling Jerusalem it will not be transferring any funds to research institutes or scientific and technological projects taking place in the West Bank.

Yet despite its change of policy regarding academic institutions across the Green Line (it told Israelis officials of the decision a few weeks ago, but the news only broke on Sunday), the White House has not overturned the Trump administration’s policy that the United States no longer views Israel’s settlements as illegal.

14.07.2023 - 08:12 [ Haaretz ]

‚Antisemitic Boycott of Israel‘: Republicans Threaten Retaliation Over Biden Settlement Policy

(Jul 12, 2023)

Republican members of Congress and presidential contenders are amplifying their criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden‘s Israel policy, largely centered around Biden‘s decision to stop transferring funds to research institutes or scientific and technological projects in the West Bank.

This is despite the fact that Biden stopped short of reversing the majority of Donald Trump‘s doctrine on Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

14.07.2023 - 07:31 [ Times of Israel ]

Herzog receives formal White House invitation, with PM still waiting on invite

US President Joe Biden on Thursday formally extended an invitation for President Isaac Herzog to visit the White House on Tuesday, July 18, in an embrace of Israel’s head of state as Washington’s ties with the current government in Jerusalem remain icy.

Herzog will be in Washington to give an address on Wednesday to a joint session of Congress in honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary.

14.07.2023 - 07:22 [ New York Times ]

The U.S. Reassessment of Netanyahu’s Government Has Begun

(July 11, 2023)

Whenever people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them that I’m a translator from English to English.

26.06.2023 - 09:36 [ Robert F. Kennedy Jr / Twitter ]

Supporters are sending us screenshots of @YouTube telling users trying to rebroadcast my speech, “Peace and Diplomacy,” that it violates their policy on “medical misinformation.” You can still watch the speech here:

26.06.2023 - 09:32 [ Kennedy24.com ]

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.‘s Peace and Diplomacy Speech

(June 21, 2023)

Marking the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy‘s 1963 „Peace Speech“ at American University, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announces a fundamentally new direction for American foreign policy. With his election in 2024, our country’s decades-long journey into military imperialism will be over. We will instead become again the exemplar of peace, freedom, and democracy that once inspired the world.

Watch RFK, Jr.‘s June 20 speech that he delivered at Saint Anselm College in the Dana Center-Koonz Theatre in Goffstown, New Hampshire:

20.06.2023 - 18:55 [ Team Kennedy / Youtube ]

Join us for a historic speech by RFK, Jr.

Join RFK, Jr. for a
Major Address
Peace and Diplomacy
Tuesday, June 20, 7 pm
St Anselm College
100 Manchester NH 03102

20.06.2023 - 18:45 [ Kennedy24.com ]

RFK Jr. to Deliver Major Foreign Policy Speech in New Hampshire

Marking the anniversary of President John F Kennedy‘s peace speech at American University, Mr. Kennedy will announce a fundamentally new direction for American foreign policy. With his election in 2024, our country’s decades-long journey into military imperialism will be over. We will instead become again the exemplar of peace, freedom, and democracy that once inspired the world.

(…)

When
June 20
7:00 PM EST

Where
Saint Anslem College
Dana Center-Koonz Theatre
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH 03102

19.06.2023 - 19:26 [ Washington Post / Youtube ]

Blinken holds presser at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing

Streamed live 6 hours ago
Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

19.06.2023 - 19:20 [ News.cn ]

Xi meets Blinken in Beijing

(today)

Xi pointed out that the vast expanse of the Earth is big enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of China and the United States. The Chinese, like the Americans, are dignified, confident and self-reliant people, Xi said, adding that they both have the right to pursue a better life. „The common interests of the two countries should be valued, and their respective success is an opportunity instead of a threat to each other.“

Xi said the international community is generally concerned about the current state of China-U.S. relations. „It does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the United States or choose sides between the two countries, and it expects the two countries to coexist in peace and have friendly and cooperative relations.“

18.06.2023 - 13:33 [ US State Department ]

Secretary Blinken’s Trip to the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom

(14.06.2023)

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and London, the United Kingdom, June 16-21.

08.06.2023 - 03:37 [ Nachdenkseiten ]

Bundesregierung erklärt Zahlungen an Journalisten von ARD, ZDF und Deutsche Welle zur geheimen „Verschlusssache“

Anfang März 2023 war zunächst bekannt geworden, dass die Bundesregierung in den letzten Jahren rund 1,5 Millionen Euro an circa 200 Journalisten, mehrheitlich bei ARD und ZDF beschäftigt, für diverse Aufträge wie beispielsweise „Moderation“ oder „Konzepterstellung“ gezahlt hatte. Kanzleramt und Ministerien räumten zwar die Zahlungen ein, hielten aber bisher die Namen der Journalisten mit Verweis auf „Datenschutz“ anonymisiert. Diese Namen liegen jetzt den NachDenkSeiten vor.

28.05.2023 - 00:05 [ News.cn ]

Full text: China‘s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis

(2023-02-24)

1. Respecting the sovereignty of all countries. Universally recognized international law, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, must be strictly observed. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community. All parties should jointly uphold the basic norms governing international relations and defend international fairness and justice. Equal and uniform application of international law should be promoted, while double standards must be rejected.

2. Abandoning the Cold War mentality. The security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others. The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs. The legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. There is no simple solution to a complex issue. All parties should, following the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and bearing in mind the long-term peace and stability of the world, help forge a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. All parties should oppose the pursuit of one‘s own security at the cost of others‘ security, prevent bloc confrontation, and work together for peace and stability on the Eurasian Continent.

3. Ceasing hostilities. Conflict and war benefit no one. All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control. All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible, so as to gradually deescalate the situation and ultimately reach a comprehensive ceasefire.

09.05.2023 - 05:14 [ GlobalTimes.cn ]

China, EU ramp up high-level exchanges, ‚close interactions help guide objective perception of China amid noise from US‘

The Ukraine crisis will also be an important topic during the visits of senior Chinese officials to Europe, as it is a geopolitical event that has affected global security governance and the global situation, analysts said.

09.05.2023 - 05:07 [ China Radio International ]

Qin Gang zu Besuch in Deutschland, Frankreich und Norwegen

Der Sprecher des chinesischen Außenministeriums, Wang Wenbin, gab am Montag bekannt, dass Staatskommissar und Außenminister Qin Gang vom 8. bis 12. Mai Deutschland, Frankreich und Norwegen besuchen wird.