By Janet Ekstract NEW YORK On April 17-19, G7 leaders met in Capri Italy for their annual Foreign Affairs Ministers meetings with Gaza and Ukraine at the top of this year’s agenda. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine, commenting: “If Putin is allowed to proceed with impunity, we know he won’t stop.” The long-awaited bill that would give much needed financial assistance to Ukraine is expected to pass either Sunday or Monday. Blinken held meetings with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dimitry Kuleba who stressed to G7 leaders that Ukraine’s air defense must work to maximum capacity to counteract Russian attacks. Kuleba made a direct appeal to leaders to continue consistent aid to Ukraine which Kuleba said is a matter of life and death to thousands of Ukrainians. Blinken said the bill was solely in the hands of lawmakers but could not reveal when the measure would finally be passed. Regarding the situation with Iran and Israel, G7 leaders said it’s necessary for Israel to show restraint in its response to Iran’s attack on April 13 and announced new sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, G7 leaders cited the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging a ceasefire, hostage deal and humanitarian aid be forthcoming as soon as possible.
To that end, G7 leaders came out with separate joint statements on countries facing the most challenging situations currently. Their joint statement on Iran condemned “Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel of April13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners.” The leaders warned Iran against any further escalation, also condemning its seizure of a Portuguese flagged merchant vessel. They reaffirmed unequivocal support for Israel, also reaffirming a commitment to Israel’s security. Leaders also called on Iran to refrain from providing support to Hamas and its proxies in the region. They also expressed alarm about Iran’s passing ballistic missile technology to Russia and called for Iran and its proxies to cease attacks in the Mideast region. Further, leaders called on Iran to free detained foreign citizens and dual citizens while condemning Iran’s plots to harass, intimidate and kill dissidents abroad.
With regard to Gaza, G7 leaders while condemning the Hamas “brutal attacks” of Oct. 7, demanded that Israel comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. Leaders demanded that Hamas release unconditionally, all hostages immediately and called for a full investigation into reports of sexual abuse by female hostages being held by Hamas and its affiliate groups. They also urged for full, unfettered humanitarian aid access in the region without any hindrances and allowing civilians to immediately access the aid. G7 leaders said there must be transparency and are deeply concerned about displacement of Palestinians and that the abuse, violations and arbitrary detentions and attacks on Palestinians must be thoroughly investigated immediately. They also “deplore all losses of civilian lives” and are extremely worried about the mounting number of civilians killed in Gaza. Leaders also reiterated how important UNRWA is as well as their plan to place sanctions on Hamas raising funds.
In addition, G7 leaders called for freedom and navigation of the Red Sea and condemned in whole, the multitude of attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea while calling on Iran to stop arming the Houthis. They added that its countries in the region around the Red Sea who are most affected in not receiving crucial supplies and goods in a timely manner due to the Red Sea attacks. G7 leaders also issued formal statements on Yemen, Syria, Libya and Ethiopia regarding their regional conflicts and the need for resolutions. The G7 consists of foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Italy has the rotating G7 leadership in 2024 and will hold its G7 leaders summit June 13-15 in Apulia, Italy.
Photo : AA
