UK: Ex-minister accuses pro-Israel lobbyists of ‘disgusting interference’
Alan Duncan has said that the Conservative Friends of Israel fiercely lobbied to prevent him becoming Middle East minister
By Alex MacDonald Published date: 8 April 2021
A former UK foreign office minister has accused pro-Israel lobbyists of “the most disgusting interference” in British public life, and of negatively influencing the country’s foreign policy in the Middle East.
Alan Duncan, a former Conservative MP and government minister until 2019, wrote in his newly published memoir that the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) had been responsible for pushing the country to adopt disproportionately anti-Palestinian and pro-Israel policies.
Belarus has been threatened with fresh UK sanctions after its “hijacking” of a flight to seize a dissident journalist, but outraged MPs say tougher action is needed. Ahead of talks with EU leaders on a joint response, the foreign secretary Dominic Raab toughened his stance, condemning the “outlandish action” and putting “further sanctions” on the table. But he was urged to go further – by summoning the Belarus ambassador and by suspending all.
Belarusian journalist and opposition activist Raman Pratasevich was arrested in Minsk after a Ryanair flight was grounded due to a bomb scare BELARUS could face further sanctions as European leaders discuss how to respond to the diversion of a Ryanair flight to enable to arrest of a political opponent. EU leaders are to hold emergency talks over the situation where 26-year-old journalist Raman Pratasevich was arrested by Belarusian authorities after the plane he was on was diverted to Minsk due to a bomb scare. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has also said he is working with allies on a coordinated response, stating that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko must be held to account for his “outlandish actions”.
Monday May 24, 2021, 5:17 AM
Britain has strongly condemned the arrest of a Belarus opposition activist after the Ryanair flight he was travelling on was diverted from its route to land in the country. Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Britain has strongly condemned the arrest of a Belarus opposition activist after the Ryanair flight he was travelling on was diverted from its route to land in the country.
Belarus state media said the aircraft – which was travelling from Athens to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius – was switched to Minsk following a bomb threat.
However, opposition groups said it was an operation by Belarus special services to “hijack” the flight so they could arrest activist and blogger Roman Protasevich.
Ryanair flight s forced landing in Belarus a âstate-sponsored hijackingâ
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemns outlandish actions by Belarusian authorities and President Alexander Lukashenko
Max ChannonNetwork Content Editor
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The forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Belarus was âstate-sponsored aviation piracyâ, Irelandâs foreign affairs minister has said.