Royal College of Defence Studies isključio Izraelce
Prestižni Royal College of Defence Studies u Londonu objavio je da od naredne godine više neće primati studente iz Izraela na svoje vojne i bezbjednosne programe. Odluka utiče na vojne kurseve u Velikoj Britaniji koji su dugo bili otvoreni za kadete iz oko 50 savezničkih zemalja.
Ministarstvo odbrane Ujedinjenog Kraljevstva naglasilo je da su “U.K. military educational courses have long been open to personnel from a wide range of countries, with all U.K. military courses emphasizing compliance with international humanitarian law,” the Ministry of Defence in London said in a statement Monday. “However, the Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza is wrong,” it added. “There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now, with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.” Odluka i poruke Ministarstva ističu zabrinutost Britanije zbog situacije u Gazi i poziv na prekid vatre i povećanje humanitarne pomoći.
Direktor izraelskog Ministarstva odbrane, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, osudio je mjeru i u otvorenom pismu nazvao je tu odluku “a “disgraceful break with Britain’s proud tradition of tolerance”.” Baram, koji ističe da je alumnus kolegija, poručio je: “Israel’s exclusion is a profoundly dishonorable act of disloyalty to an ally at war.” “It is deeply regrettable to see Britain bending under political pressure, turning its back on other democracies in favor of adversaries who seek its downfall,” he wrote.
Odluka Royal College of Defence Studies i najava zabrane za Izraelce dodatno su pojačali diplomatsku tenziju dok se kritike prema postupcima u Gazi, zabrinutost zbog humanitarne krize i pozivi na prekid vatre pojačavaju u Velikoj Britaniji i među zapadnim saveznicima.
