Peace talks for Gaza open on eve of Hamas attack anniversary
Israeli and Hamas officials launched indirect talks last night on a US-drafted peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The talks began in Egypt on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, and lasted several hours, to be resumed this afternoon. Key issues include the disarmament of Hamas, the release of the hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces, the establishment of a ceasefire and the future governance of Gaza. Meanwhile the Gaza health ministry says Israeli airstrikes have killed 19 people in the last day. Associated Press report here
Vatican Secretary of State says what is happening in Gaza is inhuman
The Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has told Vatican radio that what is happening in Gaza is “inhuman”, and that he’s impressed by the number of young people who demonstrate for peace. He said he remains deeply saddened by the images of the hostages in the tunnels, saying the Vatican continued to offer help to reunite them with their loved ones. On the war in Gaza that followed, he said: “Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defence must respect the principle of proportionality. Unfortunately, the resulting war has brought about disastrous and inhuman consequences.. It is unacceptable and unjustifiable to reduce human beings to mere collateral damage.” On antisemitism he said: “Antisemitism is a cancer that must be fought and eradicated. We need people of good will, educators who help us understand, and above all, help us discern. We must not forget what happened in the heart of Europe with the Shoah, and we must dedicate all our strength to ensuring that this evil does not rise again.” Article here
Students demonstrate against Israel in London today
Student groups across four London universities – King’s College London (KCL), the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – plan to demonstrate today, the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, against “two years and 77 years of genocide, of forced starvation, of murder, ethnic cleansing, imprisonment, torture and settler colonialism.” The Board of Deputies has condemned the timing of the march as “an insult to the innocent victims who were violently killed that day.” Robert Jenrick, the shadow lord chancellor and shadow justice secretary, called the march a “f***ing disgrace”.
Funeral takes place of second victim of synagogue attack
The funeral has been held for Adrian Daulby, 53, who was killed at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester last week. The BBC reports that tributes were paid to him, as a quiet man who became a hero. His family said he was a beloved uncle, brother and cousin whose final act was one of profound courage. He sat at the back of the shul in the same place as his father and grandfather before him and leapt up to barricade the doors when the attacker tried to get in. His prayer book is still in the same place. Greater Manchester police have said that Mr Daulby was likely shot by armed officers who were aiming at the attacker, Jihaad Al-Shamie. The Daily Mail has more information on the attacker. ITV and others have film of Al-Shamie minutes before the attack.
Festival of Sukkot observed this week
The Jewish festival of Sukkot began last night, a time to give thanks for the harvest and to remember the 40 years when Jewish people wandered in the desert. By tradition, temporary huts – called a sukkah – are created in people’s homes, where the family spends time over the seven day festival, a reminder of the temporary homes in the desert. There are services and celebratory family meals.
US Supreme Court to rule on overturning conversion therapy ban
The right wing Christian organisation ADF, Alliance Defending Freedom, is urging the US Supreme Court to overturn a ban on conversion therapy today. The case originated with Kaley Chiles, a counsellor who argued Colorado’s conversion therapy ban infringed on her right to free speech, to discuss her Christian faith and beliefs about “biological sex”. ADF is citing academic evidence said to support its case, but the Guardian reports that the academics cited, say their work has been misrepresented. Colorado is one of more than 20 states that have banned conversion therapy, but their laws are at risk if the ban is overturned. The report says that conversion therapy has been condemned by many medical organisations for its methods and links with suicide and depression. Guardian story here
Scorsese on the way to becoming a priest but was kicked out of seminary
Film director Martin Scorsese has revealed in a new documentary, that he had considered becoming a Catholic priest, but was expelled from the seminary for bad behaviour. He said: “There was a preparatory seminary… I did okay for the first few months, but something happened. It was early rock and roll and the old world was dying out. I became aware of life around me… Falling in love or being attracted to girls… I realised it’s much more complicated than this. You can’t shut yourself off. They got my father in there and they told him, ‘Get him out of here.’ Because I behaved badly”. Scorsese was speaking in Rebecca Miller’s new documentary Mr Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street . Now 82, he spoke of his fascination with faith, particularly in the lives of the saints.
Thieves strip lead from an iconic twisted church spire in Chesterfield
The Independent reports that the iconic crooked, twisted spire of St Mary and St All Saints in Chesterfield, has been targeted by thieves. Lead was stolen off the roof last week and the damage will cost thousands of pounds to repair. Photographs show part of the roof stripped bare down to wooden panelling. The Church of St Mary and All Saints was designated a Grade I listed building in 1971 and in 1994 it became the UK’s only representative in the Association of the Twisted Spires of Europe. The legends explaining the twist are many – the spire turned round to see a bride about to be married, the devil twisted the spire when a virgin married in the church, and the devil perched on the spire and twisted his tail around it to hold on, changing the shape of the spire.
