An Israeli minister was suspended from government meetings “until further notice” Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, after suggesting in an interview dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza.
The comments by Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu advocating a fierce military response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks even at the cost of the lives of hostages believed to be held in Gaza also drew rebuke from families of the captives.
Eliyahu, an ultranationalist politician part of Netnayahu’s ruling coalition, told Israel’s Kol Barama radio he was not entirely satisfied with the scale of Israel’s retaliation in the Palestinian territory after Hamas fighters carried out their deadly attacks inside southern Israel.
The attacks killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, Israeli officials say.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7 has killed 9,488 people, most of them women and children, the Hamas-run health ministry says.
When the interviewer asked whether the Israeli minister advocated dropping “some kind of atomic bomb” on the Gaza Strip “to kill everyone”, Eliyahu replied: “That’s one option”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly responded in a statement, describing Eliyahu’s remarks as “disconnected from reality” and adding that Israel was trying to spare “non-combatants” in Gaza.
In a follow-up question about the estimated 240 hostages held in Gaza, Eliyahu said that “in war we pay a price.”
“Why are the lives of the hostages… more important than the lives of the soldiers?” he said.
“International law, along with fundamental principles of human morality and common sense, strictly prohibits the use of mass destruction weapons,” it said in a statement, calling for the release of all the hostages.
Following the outcry over his remarks, Eliyahu said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that his statement about the atomic bomb was “metaphorical”.
He also said that Israel was “committed to doing everything possible to return the hostages safe and sound”.
Israel has never admitted to having a nuclear bomb.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, representing relatives of people snatched to Gaza by Hamas militants, slammed Eliyahu’s “reckless and cruel” statement.
Turkey has taken a diplomatic step against Israel on Saturday, recalling its ambassador back on the eve of US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s visit.
In a statement issued by the Turkish foreign ministry, it was said that ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was being recalled for consultations “In view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal (to accept) a ceasefire.”
Turkish President Erdogan personally told reporters that he holds Netanyahu responsible for the huge death toll in Gaza. “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off,” Erdogan said in a statement quoted by the media. He also suggested to Netanyahu to “take a step back and stop this”.
However he reiterated that “Completely severing ties is not possible, especially in international diplomacy,” adding that is why MIT intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin has been appointed to lead talks with both sides to mediate an end to the war.
As the War on Gaza is entering its fifth week, calls for a ceasefire and an end to genocide can be heard all around the world but the most striking is the response from the Western countries where people are principally supporting Palestine. However, their governments are either responding diplomatically or are siding with Israel.
USA
Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony before the Senate committee was interrupted by protestors calling for “ceasefire now”. Blinken was there to ask for emergency funding for Israel by the administration. The demonstrators kept shouting “Save the children of Gaza, cease-fire now. Where is your pride in America. Stop the brutal massacre.” Their hands were painted red. Protesters also chanted in unison, “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go.” They were arrested and dragged out of the hall.
This isn’t it. Hundreds of protestors have come to protest outside White House and inside the Capitol Hill building while many more are on the roads marching and protesting against Biden’s administration, questioning the aid of $14.5 billion that has been given from taxpayer money.
Our government sends Israel $10 million in American taxpayer dollars per day, but politicians want to pass hate speech laws to stop the American taxpayer from criticizing it.
If my money’s funding it, I should be able to say whatever I want about it.
The UK is seeing a very hostile political environment. Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition, is under fire for siding with Israel’s destructive tactics. He said, “I understand the calls for a ceasefire, at this stage, I do not believe that is the correct position.” Protestors gathered outside his residence and got their disapproval registered.
More than 60 Labour MPs have called for a ceasefire while one of the Labour MPs Andy McDonald has been suspended because of seeming “deeply offensive” comments at a pro-Palestinian rally. Masses are protesting in huge numbers on the road and criticising the politicians who are opposing the ceasefire.
France
France has banned citizens from pro-Palestine marches but according to the leading newspaper France24, thousands of demonstrators have joined the pro-Palestinian march in Paris, calling for an urgent ceasefire even though the President of the country flew to Israel to show his solidarity with its government. They remain uninhibited by the country’s official allegiance with Israel.
https://youtu.be/18OPeZtWgX0?si=NYF1oRB1qQW36nwx
Germany
Germany sees the pleas of Palestinians as synonymous with the activities of Hamas because it has banned all activities of Hamas from the country. This is the government’s attempt to hamper all the pro-Palestinian marches and protests. Additionally, schools in Berlin have been given permission to ban the traditional Palestinian headdress, the keffiyeh. Palestinian activists however have dubbed this as coming from a place of “historic guilt”.
Italy
Italy’s Georgia Meloni also paid a visit to Israel and stated that the real purpose of the Hamas attack was to create an “Unbridgeable gap between the Israelis and Palestinians, meaning that the target is all of us and we cannot fall into this trap, which would be very stupid.” Contrary to the opinion of the PM, Rome saw a protest of thousands chanting, “From River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.”
https://youtu.be/a07wKfUm0gs?si=7a–SbnRUkHKUlPg
Spain
Spain is one major country from Europe which has gained the ire of Israel but has persisted in calling out the atrocities befallen by Israel on the Gaza strip. Spanish Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belorra, asked for bringing Netanyahu before the International Criminal Court for all the crimes he has committed.
We ask our partner that, as the Government of Spain, we bring Netanyahu before the International Criminal Court for war crimes. Here is my official statement pic.twitter.com/Wuu8nnKfVp
The Israeli government in response accused them of siding with Hamas. Unfazed, Spain’s premier Pedro Sanchez echoed public opinion by calling for a ceasefire. Thousands of people in different cities of the country also came out in support of Palestine.
Ireland
Ireland is leading the demands as always, having supported the Palestinian state since the 1980s. Irish leadership along with the Spanish heads have raised their concerns on the grander scale of the EU in favour of Palestine. Irish PM (taoiseach) Leo Varadkar has openly called out Israel for subjecting Palestinians to collective punishment. “What I’m seeing unfolding at the moment isn’t just self-defence. It looks, something more approaching revenge,” Varadkar said.
Scotland
Scottish First Minister Hamza Yousuf has repeatedly expressed his support for Palestine. His in-laws were trapped in Gaza leaving him fearful of the situation at the strip.
The major showdown that happened was at the Celtic Park arena in a match between Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. The crowd of more than 60,000 went against the warnings of the administration and literally showed up as the “Green Brigade” holding flags of Palestine. They wanted to prove themselves to be on the “right side of history.”
The response by the West has been rather calculated and gets tweaked from time to time but the purpose here is to show that the stance of the governments is hardly a testament to public sentiment when it comes to international issues. The overwhelming response of the public manifests that better sense must prevail and that an immediate ceasefire is the need of the hour.
Actress Armeena Khan slammed philanthropist and wife to former cricketer Wasim Akram, Shaniera, for remaining silent about the genocide of Palestinians.
Shaniera tweeted her sorrow at the recent tragedies around the world, writing:
“Helpless. I feel so totally and utterly helpless. Ive never been scared of saying what I want or how I feel, but right now im very emotional and actually just don’t have any words left to give and i am really sorry if that offends anyone”
Helpless. I feel so totally and utterly helpless. Ive never been scared of saying what I want or how I feel, but right now im very emotional and actually just don’t have any words left to give and i am really sorry if that offends anyone
In a now-deleted tweet, Shaniera criticised Armeena’s response by writing: “Seriously? With the state of the world and the pain we are seeing daily, you are still throwing hate at me. For what? You don’t know me or what I am dealing with. Whatever we are, we are both mothers, you should be using your voice to promote unity and sisterhood. I think it’s about time you grew up. You are really sinking pretty low for headlines now.”
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan turned 58-years-old on Thursday while a sea of fans reached his Mannat villa in Mumbai to celebrate the occasion.
However, some of the fans were in for an unpleasant surprise.
While the fans were gathered at the gates, more than 30 mobile phones were stolen, Pink Villa has reported.
The theives reportedly took advantage of the large crowd to steal the mobile phones. A case was registered with the Mumbai Police who said that three people were detained in connection to the incident. Nine phones have been recovered.
Every year on his birthday, Shah Rukh Khan celebrates the occasion by greeting fans from his balcony at Mannat Palace in Mumbai, blowing kisses to the people. In a tweet, the superstar thanked everyone for celebrating his birthday:
“It’s unbelievable that so many of u come & wish me late at night. I am but a mere actor. Nothing makes me happier, than, the fact that I can entertain u a bit. I live in a dream of your love. Thank u for allowing me to entertain you all. C u in the morning…on the screen & off it.”
It’s unbelievable that so many of u come & wish me late at night. I am but a mere actor. Nothing makes me happier, than, the fact that I can entertain u a bit. I live in a dream of your love. Thank u for allowing me to entertain you all. C u in the morning…on the screen & off it
Taking stern action for the prevention of smog in the city, Lahore High Court has ordered that factories that are becoming a source of contaminating the air should be sealed.
Lahore has had hazardous levels of air quality five days in a row. Hearing a petition filed by a citizen, Haroon Farooq, the court reviewed all the steps that have been taken by the local administration and the implementation of previous judgments by the court. Commissioner Lahore division Mohammad Ali Randhawa was present in front of the judge and laid out the efforts made by the administration.
He told the court that strict actions have been taken against smoke emitting vehicles. For the awareness of environment friendly transport, as advised by the court in a previous hearing, campaigns for the promotion of cycling are being run in the government sector. The court advised penalising the owners of the vehicles and including the private sector in the revival of cycling in next five to six months to protect the environment for the future.
Justice Shahid Kareem further adjudicated that factories that are contributing in the worsening of smog should be sealed, only allowed to reopen when the owners submit their word that if they do not comply with the guidelines their factories will be levelled to the ground by the authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for November 7.
The President of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Shehbaz Sharif, has appointed Senator Ishaq Dar as the leader of the party’s election cell for the upcoming polls.
On Saturday, PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal issued a notification with the approval of Shehbaz Sharif announcing Dad’s appointment. “With the approval of the President PML-N, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is hereby appointed as Chairman, Election Cell PML-N, for General Elections 2024,” read the notification.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, the spokesperson for PML-N, said in a tweet that the party’s election-related efforts will gain more momentum following the recent appointment. “All polls related activities including the process of applications to get the party ticket will be completed soon,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb. PML-N head Nawaz Sharif will address public rallies across the country soon, once the tickets are awarded.
Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s wife, Hiba Chaudhry, and brother, Faisal Chaudhry, have claimed on Saturday that he has been arrested from his home in Islamabad by police.
In a tweet posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hiba wrote, “Fawad arrested and taken to unknown place.”
Geo News has reported in its bulletin that Fawad was arrested from home in front of his children and his wife by police and other officials in plain clothes.
Hiba Chaudhry told Geo News that she was not shown an arrest warrant by the police officials.
Hiba Fawad also said in her tweet that “Islamabad police taken Fawad. I need the Case information in which he is nominated.”
Fawad became one of the first famous names to leave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf after the events of May 9, joining Istehkaam Pakistan Party (IPP), a joining political analysts consider a reluctant decision.
This would make it the third arrest within the year for Fawad Chaudhry.
Grammy award winning singer Lorde has spoken out against the genocide of Gaza by encouraging her followers to protest for a ceasefire. The death toll from Israeli air strikes reached 9000 after a school in Northen Gaza was bombed, killing 20 people taking shelter there.
Lorde shared screenshots of the protests taking place in cities across New Zealand, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
She further shared a screenshot of an open letter signed by Jewish public figures including ‘Barbie’ actress Hari Nef and filmmaker Emma Siegelman, which condemned equating criticism of Israel to antisemitism.
Lorde also shared a video of the viral Palestinian-American singer Nemah Hasan, who was dropped by her label for calling for an end to Israel’s oppression of Israel. In the caption, the ‘Royals’ singer wrote that she was moved by Nemah singing her song ‘Team’ to highlight the Palestinian cause:
“I was so incredibly moved by this poignant piece. I have been frozen in grief and shock. I’m aware of the dissonance between my thoughts and the words I am able to form. I am so grateful to my Palestinian sister for reminding me why I make art- it speaks when I cannot. It fills spaces where words are inadequate. She speaks through me; I speak through her.”
Lorde has shared, via Instagram stories, a video of singer @nemahsis singing “Team” — which has been shared by other celebrities like Bella Hadid.
Nemah, who goes by her stage name nemasis, shared this clip to write how moved she was by Lorde’s appreciation which felt like a reward after being told to remain silent on Palestine by others.
“after being dropped by my new label for speaking up against the occupation of my homeland Palestine i was insecure. it was suggested to cooling down the pro-Palestinian posts. i didn’t stop. i kept going. i had nothing left to lose & i’m so happy i didn’t give into the pressure.”
after being dropped by my new label for speaking up against the occupation of my homeland Palestine i was insecure. it was suggested to cooling down the pro-Palestinian posts. i didn’t stop. i kept going. i had nothing left to lose & i’m so happy i didn’t give into the pressure. https://t.co/cQRQE8UTRu
During the early hours of Saturday, security forces successfully prevented a terrorist attack on the Pakistan Air Force ( PAF) Mianwali Training Air Base, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Three militants were neutralized in the operation.
According to the military’s media wing, “On 04 November 2023, in the early hours of the day, Mianwali Training Air Base of Pakistan Air Force came under a failed terrorist attack which, Alhumdolliah, due to the swift and effective response by the troops, has been foiled and thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets.”
Three terrorists were eliminated as they attempted to enter the base, while the remaining three were contained and isolated due to the swift and effective action of the troops, who displayed remarkable bravery.
“However, during the attack, some damage to three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser also occurred,” the statement read. “Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country at all costs,” said the ISPR.
